In typography, a decorative character which can be typeset, or an alternate term for an ornament. (See Ornament.) Although the etymology of the term dingbat is unknown (it also means an empty-headed, foolish person, as well as a brick or other object used as a missile), it likely originated with the term dingus (a somewhat informal term for any device or gadget whose exact purpose is unknown), which in turn originated with the word "thing" or non-English words meaning "thing" (such as ding').
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