Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to: navigation, search



Etymology 1[edit]

From Middle English gojune, from Anglo-Norman goujon, from Late Latin, gobionem, accusative of gobio, from Latin gobius ‎(gudgeon)


gudgeon ‎(plural gudgeons)

The common gudgeon.
  1. A small freshwater fish, Gobio gobio, that is native to Eurasia.
  2. (Australia) Any of various similar small fish of the family Eleotridae, often used as bait.
  3. An idiot; a person easily duped or cheated.
    • 2004, Robert Jordan, New Spring: The Novel[1], ISBN 0765309262, page 298:
      “Don’t be a gudgeon,” she grumbled, tugging at the dress much more fiercely than was necessary. “If this works as you say it will, nobody will notice me.”

Etymology 2[edit]

Pintle and gudgeon rudder system.

From Middle English gudyon, ultimately from Late Latin gulbia ‎(chisel).


gudgeon ‎(plural gudgeons)

  1. A type of bearing: a circular fitting, often made of metal, which is fixed onto some surface and allows for the pivoting of another fixture.
  2. (nautical) Specifically, in a vessel with a stern-mounted rudder, the fitting into which the pintle of the rudder fits, allowing the rudder to swing freely.
Derived terms[edit]


gudgeon ‎(third-person singular simple present gudgeons, present participle gudgeoning, simple past and past participle gudgeoned)

  1. To deprive fraudulently; to cheat; to dupe.
    • Sir Walter Scott
      To be gudgeoned of the opportunities which had been given you.

See also[edit]