gudgeon

/ˈɡʌdʒən/
noun
  1. A small freshwater fish of the carp family, often used as bait.
    • Children love to catch gudgeons with a simple net at the pond.
    • The fisherman used a gudgeon as bait to catch a larger fish.
    • Gudgeons are common in rivers and streams across Europe.
  2. A person who is easily tricked or fooled.
    • Don't be a gudgeon; check the facts before you sign anything.
    • In the old story, the clever fox made a gudgeon of the greedy crow.
    • The con artist saw him as a gudgeon and took all his money.
  3. A metal pivot or socket, especially one used in a rudder or hinge.
    • He greased the gudgeon to keep the door swinging smoothly.
    • The blacksmith forged a new gudgeon for the heavy gate hinge.
    • The boat's rudder was attached to the stern with a gudgeon.
verb
  1. To trick or deceive someone.
    • The swindler gudgeoned the old man out of his savings.
    • She felt gudgeoned by the false promises of the salesperson.
    • They tried to gudgeon the tourists with fake souvenirs.
Synonyms
What does "gudgeon" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean