jay
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Pronunciation
[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
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Singular |
Plural |
jay (plural jays)
- 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.
- Other birds of similar appearance and behavior.
- (archaic) A dull or ignorant person. It survives today in the term jaywalking.
[edit] Synonyms
[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
terms derived from jay (bird)
[edit] Translations
bird
[edit] Etymology 2
Respelling of the letter jy, by analogy with the following letter kay.
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
jay (plural jays)
[edit] Translations
name of the letter J, j
[edit] References
- jay in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913