canary

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[edit] English

A canary bird (1)

[edit] Etymology

From the Latin Canaria insula, Canary Islands (Islas Canarias); named for its dogs (canis).

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
canary

Plural
canaries

canary (plural canaries)

  1. A small, usually yellow, finch (genus Serinus), a songbird native to the Canary Islands.
  2. Any of various small birds of different countries, most of which are largely yellow in colour.
  3. (color/colour) A light, slightly greenish, yellow colour.
    canary colour:    
  4. A light, sweet, white wine from the Canary Islands.
  5. A lively dance, possibly of Spanish origin (also called canaries).
  6. Any test subject, especially an inadvertent or unwilling one. (From the mining practice of using canaries to detect dangerous gases.)
  7. (informal) A female singer, soprano, a coloratura singer.
  8. (slang) An informer or snitch; a squealer.
  9. (slang) A (usually yellow) capsule of Nembutal™ barbiturate.
  10. (Australian, informal) A sticker of unroadworthiness.

[edit] Scientific names

[edit] Translations

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[edit] Adjective

canary (comparative: more canary, superlative: most canary)

  1. (color/colour) of a light yellow colour.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to canary

Third person singular
canaries

Simple past
canaried

Past participle
canaried

Present participle
canarying

to canary (third-person singular simple present canaries, present participle canarying, simple past and past participle canaried)

  1. (intransitive) to dance nimbly (as in the canary dance)

[edit] Translations

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Related terms

[edit] See also