jailbird

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See also: jail-bird

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

jailbird (plural jailbirds)

  1. A prisoner or an ex-prisoner

Translations

References

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