a member of a race of people, originally from Asia, who traditionally travel around and live in caravans. Many people prefer to use the name Roma or Romani. 吉卜赛人（许多人更喜欢用 Roma 或 Romani 这个名称） Extra ExamplesAn old gypsy woman offered to tell my fortune. 一个吉普赛老妇人主动提出要给我算命。 A line of gypsy caravans moves slowly along the lane. 一排吉普赛大篷车沿着小巷缓缓移动。 Police raided a gypsy camp early this morning. 警方今天凌晨突袭了一个吉普赛营地。
Culture GypsiesGypsiesGypsies are a people found in many countries. The name Gypsy comes from the word ‘ Egyptian ’ because Gypsies were once thought to have come from Egypt. Some people now believe that they originally came from India. In the US Gypsies are called Roma, and in Britain they are known as Romanies or travellers. The name travellers is more often used for Irish travellers, a group in Britain who, like Gypsies, do not live in settled communities but travel about from place to place living in caravans. The traditional language of the Gypsies is Romani, and new words are made up from Romani elements rather than borrowed from English.Roma or Romanies, like many other minority groups, feel very proud of their identity. In Britain, they are sometimes treated with fear and suspicion by the rest of the population and are often forced to move on from places where they stop.Gypsies usually make money by selling new and second-hand goods. Some collect and sell scrap metal, while others do farm work. A few make a living from entertainment and singing. In the past the women were known for selling clothes pegs, ‘lucky’ white heather (= a wild plant) or bunches of flowers. Many meet each year at the Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria.Americans have little contact with Gypsies and think of the Roma as exciting, mysterious people who wear bright clothes and gold jewellery and have unusual powers.- (British English usually traveller)
a person who does not live in one place but travels around, especially as part of a group （尤指结队而行的）漂泊者
Word Originmid 16th cent.: originally gipcyan, short for Egyptian (because it was believed that Gypsies came from Egypt).