Gay
Originating from Old French "gai" (12c.) meaning joyful or light-colored, "gay" evolved from "merry" and "wanton" in the 14c. to also mean a homosexual. There are 31 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word gay , nine of which are labelled obsolete, and one of which is considered offensive. To continue reading, please sign in below or purchase a subscription. Gay
Gay is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The term originally meant "carefree", "cheerful', or "bright and showy". [1] While scant usage referring to male homosexuality dates to the late 19th century, that meaning became increasingly common by the midth century. [2]. However, around the early parts of the 17th century, the word began to be associated with immorality. Fast-forward to the 19th century and the word gay referred to a woman who was a prostitute and a gay man was someone who slept with a lot of women ironically enough , often prostitutes. Etymology of Gay
Today I found out how ‘gay’ came to mean ‘homosexual’. The word “gay” seems to have its origins around the 12th century in England, derived from the Old French word ‘gai’, which in turn was probably derived from a Germanic word, though that isn’t completely known. The word’s original meaning meant something to the effect of “joyful”, “carefree”, “full of mirth. Want to remove ads? Log in to see fewer ads, and become a Premium Member to remove all ads. 
Gay / gaycat — Wordorigins.org
In the broad political sense, gay usually refers to anything pertaining to same-sex relationships, whether male or female: gay rights and gay marriage. When used in coordination with other terms for sexual orientations, it usually specifically refers to men who are attracted only to men, and excludes lesbians, bisexuals and other orientations. .
Origin of the Name Gay (Complete History)
Gay Etymology: Found in the English language; moving as a linguistic loan around the world, generalizing to identify the homosexual individual by his cheerful and light behavior, referring to the. . 
Gay etymology in English
An incorrect etymology that is sometimes proffered is that the queer sense of gay is a borrowing from the French gaie, a feminine cognate of the English word that supposedly was used to describe queer men dating back to the sixteenth century, as opposed the masculine gai. .
Gay, adj., adv., & n. meanings, etymology and more
The name ‘Gay’ has a rich and intriguing history that encompasses various facets of language, society, and culture. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the etymology, evolution of meaning, societal perception, representation in literature and media, global context, and predictions for the future of the name ‘Gay’. Understanding the Term ‘Gay’ The term ‘Gay’ is. .
Gay
gay, adj., adv., & n. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary. .