gazebo

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɡəˈziːbəʊ/ (UK); /ɡəˈziːboʊ/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

Of uncertain origin.^[2][3] It is perhaps a jocular formation from gaze and the Latin future ending -ēbō “I shall”, as in vidēbō “I shall see”,^[4][5] on the model of belvedere.^[4] The OED, as cited by Etymonline, suggests it may rather be a corruption of an oriental word.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

It first named a turret or lantern on a roof, built to command a wide view, or a similar structure in a garden.^[6]

Semantic evolution

The sense moved from a viewing turret to a free-standing, open-sided garden pavilion.^[2][3] Wiktionary also records it for a removable canopy tent.^[1]

Timeline

• 1752 – first recorded.^[4][6][5]
• 1843 – a projecting window or balcony.^[6]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A free-standing roofed structure, usually open on the sides, giving shade or a view.
2. A belvedere.

References

1. [1] [2] Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. [1] [2] The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
3. [1] [2] Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House
4. [1] [2] [3] [4] Harper, Douglas, Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. [1] [2] Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
6. [1] [2] [3] Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press