jay

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Wikipedia

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Noun 1.2.1.1 Synonyms 1.2.1.2 Hyponyms 1.2.1.3 See also 1.2.1.4 Derived terms 1.2.1.5 Translations 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Noun 1.3.1.1 Translations 1.4 References

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• enPR: jā, IPA: /dʒeɪ/, SAMPA: /dZeI/
• Rhymes: -eɪ

[edit] Etymology 1

From Middle English, from Old French jaj, gai (Modern geai), from Late Latin gaius (“‘jay’”) perhaps cognate with and influenced by Old High German gāhi, cognate to Dutch gaai; compare gay.

[edit] Noun

jay (plural jays)

1. Any one of the numerous species of birds belonging to several genuses within the family Corvidae, including Garrulus, Cyanocitta, allied to the crows, but smaller, more graceful in form, often handsomely colored, usually having a crest, and often noisy.
2. Other birds of similar appearance and behavior.
3. (archaic) A dull or ignorant person. It survives today in the term jaywalking.

[edit] Synonyms

• (bird): Jenny jay, jay pie, k, kae (UK); bluejay, whisky jack (US)

[edit] Hyponyms

• (bird): Old World jay, gray jay, American jay

[edit] See also

• Jay on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Corvidae on Wikispecies. Wikispecies: Corvidae

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

[edit] Etymology 2

Respelling of the letter jy, by analogy with the following letter kay.

[edit] Noun

jay (plural jays)

1. The name of the letter J. Found in compounds such as jaycee and deejay.

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

• jay in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913