Etymology
Advertisement

Gail

fem. proper name, in some cases short for Abigail, or from the Hebrew root in that name meaning "rejoicing." Attained its greatest popularity in U.S. as a given name for girls born c. 1945-1955.

Entries linking to gail

Abigail 
fem. proper name, from Hebrew Abhigayil, literally "my father is rejoicing," from abh "father" + gil "to rejoice." In the Old Testament Abigail the Carmelitess was a wife of David. Used in general sense of "lady's maid" (1660s) from character of that name in Beaumont & Fletcher's "The Scornful Lady." Her traditional male counterpart was Andrew. The waiting maid association perhaps begins with I Samuel xxv, where David's wife often calls herself a "handmaid."

updated on October 14, 2021

Advertisement
Advertisement

Dictionary entries near Gail

gaga

gage

gaggle

Gaia

gaiety

Gail

gaily

gain

gainer

gainful

gainly

© 2001-2022 Douglas Harper