Gaud

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ɡɔːd/

Definitions

1. Characterized by shows of extravagance or excessive ornamentation, making it appear ostentatiously colorful and flashy
2. Describing something that is excessively decorated or designed to attract attention through its vividness
3. Pertaining to a style that emphasizes lavishness and boldness, often at the expense of tastefulness

Etymology: The noun "gaud" has an unexpectedly religious past. In Middle English, a "gaude" was an ornamental bead in a rosary, the large bead that marked the start of each decade of prayers. From there the sense widened to any small, showy trinket, and the word also carried the older meaning of a jest or prank, which hints at how close "gaud" once sat to "gaudy" and to the idea of frivolous display. Its exact origin is less certain. It may be linked to French "gaudir," meaning "to rejoice," which would fit the sense of merriment and ostentatious show, but the connection is not firmly established. What is clear is that the noun has been used in English since the Middle English period, and that its meaning has narrowed over time from a devotional object to a cheap, flashy ornament.

Synonyms: gaudy ornament, fancy

Antonyms: simplicity