toy

[toi] /tɔɪ/
noun
1.
an object, often a small representation of something familiar, as an animal or person, for children or others to play with; plaything.
2.
a thing or matter of little or no value or importance; a trifle.
3.
something that serves for or as if for diversion, rather than for serious pratical use.
4.
a small article of little value but prized as a souvenir or for some other special reason; trinket; knickknack; bauble.
5.
something diminutive, especially in comparison with like objects.
6.
an animal of a breed or variety noted for smallness of size:
The winning terrier at the dog show was a toy.
7.
a close-fitting cap of linen or wool, with flaps coming down to the shoulders, formerly worn by women in Scotland.
8.
a simple, light piece of music, especially of 16th or 17th century England, written for the virginal.
9.
Obsolete.
  1. amorous dallying.
  2. a playful or amusing act; diversion; pastime.
adjective
10.
made or designed for use as a toy:
a toy gun.
11.
of or resembling a toy, especially diminutive in size.
verb (used without object)
12.
to amuse oneself; play.
13.
to act idly; or with indifference; trifle:
to toy with one's food.
14.
to dally amorously; flirt.
Origin
1275-1325; Middle English toye dalliance; of obscure origin
Related forms
toyer, noun
toyless, adjective
toylike, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for toy

toy

/tɔɪ/
noun
1.
an object designed to be played with
2.
  1. something that is a nonfunctioning replica of something else, esp a miniature one
  2. (as modifier): a toy guitar
3.
any small thing of little value; trifle
4.
  1. something small or miniature, esp a miniature variety of a breed of dog
  2. (as modifier): a toy poodle
verb
5.
(intransitive) usually foll by with. to play, fiddle, or flirt
Derived Forms
toyer, noun
toyless, adjective
toylike, adjective
Word Origin
C16 (in the sense: amorous dalliance): of uncertain origin
Word Origin and History for toy
n.

c.1300, "amorous playing, sport," later "piece of fun or entertainment" (c.1500), "thing of little value, trifle" (1520s), and "thing for a child to play with" (1580s). Of uncertain origin, and there may be more than one word here. Cf. Middle Dutch toy, Dutch tuig "tools, apparatus, stuff, trash," in speeltuig "play-toy, plaything;" German Zeug "stuff, matter, tools," Spielzeug "plaything, toy;" Danish tøi, Swedish tyg "stuff, gear."

v.

1520s, from toy (n.).

If he be merie and toy with any,
His wife will frowne, and words geve manye.
["Song of the Bachelor's Life," 16c.]
Related: Toyed; toying.

toy in Technology

A computer system; always used with qualifiers.
1. "nice toy": One that supports the speaker's hacking style adequately.
2. "just a toy": A machine that yields insufficient computrons for the speaker's preferred uses. This is not condemnatory, as is bitty box; toys can at least be fun. It is also strongly conditioned by one's expectations; Cray XMP users sometimes consider the Cray-1 a "toy", and certainly all RISC boxes and mainframes are toys by their standards. See also Get a real computer!.
[Jargon File]