Nosegays

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An arrangement of flowers, often fragrant, typically given as a gift for special occasions or worn for adornment
2. A small bouquet of blooms that can be carried in hand or pinned onto clothing to add a decorative touch or express affection
3. A collection of fresh or dried flowers that serves both ornamental and sentimental purposes, often symbolizing beauty and remembrance

Etymology: A nosegay is, quite literally, something you hold to your nose. The "nose" half is plain enough, but the second element is the surprise: "gay" here meant a bright, showy ornament, and it came into English from Old French "gai," meaning cheerful or happy. So a nosegay was once a cheerful little ornament of flowers, named for the nose it was meant to be held near. Flowers were prized in this way for their smell at a time when cities were crowded and unwashed, and the bunch was carried as much for its scent as its looks. The word appears in Late Middle English, and its parts are straightforward: "nose" from Old English "nosu," with the second element ornamental rather than descriptive.

Synonyms: bouquets, posies, flower arrangements, floral arrangements, floral bouquets