jailbird

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See also: jail-bird

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

jail +‎ bird, circa 1600.[1] Compare gallows bird.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (file)

Noun[edit]

jailbird (plural jailbirds)

  1. A prisoner or an ex-prisoner

Related terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “jailbird”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.