Toy (?), n. [D. tuid tools, implements, stuff, trash, speeltuig playthings, toys; akin to G. zeug stuff, materials, MNG. zuic, Icel. tygi gear; all ultimately from the root of E. tug, v.t.; cf.G. zeugen to beget, MHG.ziugen to beget, make ready, procure. See Tug, v. t.]
1.
A plaything for children; a bawble.
Cowper.
2.
A thing for amusement, but of no real value; an article of trade of little value; a trifle.
They exchange for knives, glasses, and such toys, great abundance of gold and pearl.
Abr. Abbot.
3.
A wild fancy; an odd conceit; idle sport; folly; trifling opinion.
To fly about playing their wanton toys.
Spenser.
What if a toy take'em in the heels now, and they all run away.
Beau. &Fl.
Nor light and idle toys my lines may vainly swell.
Drayton.
4.
Amorous dalliance; play; sport; pastime.
Milton.
To dally thus with death is no fit toy.
Spenser.
5.
An old story; a silly tale.
Shak.
6. [Probably the same word.]
A headdress of linen or woolen, that hangs down over the shoulders, worn by old women of the lower classes; -- called also toy mutch.
[Scot.] "Having, moreover, put on her clean
toy, rokelay, and scarlet plaid."
Sir W. Scott.
© Webster 1913.
Toy, v. i. [imp. & p. p. toyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. toying.]
To dally amorously; to trifle; to play.
To toy, to wanton, dally, smile and jest.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Toy, v. t.
To treat foolishly.
[Obs.]
E. Dering (1576).
© Webster 1913.