widget

widg·et  (wjt)

n.

1. A small mechanical device or control; a gadget.

2. An unnamed or hypothetical manufactured article.

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[Perhaps alteration of gadget.]

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widget

Noun

1. Informal any small device, the name of which is unknown or forgotten

2. a small device in a beer can which, when the can is opened, releases nitrogen gas into the beer, giving it a head [changed from gadget]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	widget - something unspecified whose name is either forgotten or not known; "she eased the ball-shaped doodad back into its socket"; "there may be some great new gizmo around the corner that you will want to use" gismo, gizmo, gubbins, thingamabob, thingamajig, thingmabob, thingmajig, thingumabob, thingumajig, thingummy, whatchamacallit, whatchamacallum, whatsis, doodad, doohickey, doojigger, gimmick stuff - miscellaneous unspecified objects; "the trunk was full of stuff"
	2.	widget - a device or control that is very useful for a particular job appliance, contraption, contrivance, gadget, gismo, gizmo, convenience device - an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water" gadgetry - appliances collectively; "laborsaving gadgetry" gimbal - an appliance that allows an object (such as a ship's compass) to remain horizontal even as its support tips injector - a contrivance for injecting (e.g., water into the boiler of a steam engine or particles into an accelerator etc.) mod con - modern convenience; the appliances and conveniences characteristic of a modern house