Definition of "dingbat" in English

noun

1. (informal) A silly, crazy or stupid person.

2. (typography) A special ornamental typographical symbol, such as a bullet, an arrow, a pointing hand etc.

   • "The compulsive editor, when checking the specs on an article, can't help checking also for such items as initial capital and closing dingbat, if they are used routinely. These decorative items have a way of being forgotten..."

3. (architecture) An architectural style of apartment building, where the second storey overhangs an area for parking cars.

4. A kind of word puzzle involving pictures or typography that hint at the solution.

5. (slang) Anything that can be thrown or swung with force against something else.

6. A small device or gadget, the correct term for which is forgotten or unknown.