Gander

Part of Speech

Noun, Verb (informal)

Pronunciation

/ˈɡændər/ (English - US, UK)

Definitions

• 1. (Noun) A male goose.
• 2. (Noun, informal) A glance or look at something.
• 3. (Verb, informal) To take a look or glance.

Usage Examples

• "The gander protected its nest fiercely."
• "Take a gander at this new design."
• "He gandered at the map before proceeding."

Etymology

From Middle English gandre, from Old English gandra. The informal meaning "look" is derived from the way a gander (male goose) stretches its neck to look around.

Synonyms

• Drake (for male goose)
• Glance, peek, look (for informal meaning)

Antonyms

• Ignore (for informal meaning)
• Hen (for male-female distinction in birds)

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

Pronunciation varies slightly between American and British English, with some dialectal variations in stress and vowel length.

Historical Usage

The word "gander" has been in use since Old English times to refer to a male goose. Its informal use to mean "look" dates back to the 19th century in American English.

Cultural Nuances

In some folk tales, the gander symbolizes protection and vigilance. The phrase "take a gander" is commonly used in informal speech in English-speaking countries.

More Information

The word "gander" has remained largely unchanged in meaning over centuries. The association with looking or glancing stems from the characteristic way a gander stretches its neck to observe its surroundings.