gimmick: Meaning and Definition of

gim•mick

Pronunciation: (gim'ik), [key]
— n.
  1. an ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, esp. one designed to attract attention or increase appeal.
  2. a concealed, usually devious aspect or feature of something, as a plan or deal: An offer that good must have a gimmick in it somewhere.
  3. a hidden mechanical device by which a magician works a trick or a gambler controls a game of chance.
  4. a capacitor formed by intertwining two insulated wires.
—v.t.
  1. to equip or embellish with unnecessary features, esp. in order to increase salability, acceptance, etc. (often fol. by up): to gimmick up a sports car with chrome and racing stripes.
—v.i.
  1. to resort to gimmickry, esp. habitually.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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