Popinjay Definition

pŏpĭn-jā
noun
A parrot.
Webster's New World
A target consisting of a wooden parrot on a pole.
Webster's New World
A talkative, conceited person.
Webster's New World

(now archaic) A parrot. [from 14th c.]

Wiktionary

(heraldry) A heraldic representation of a parrot. [from 15th c.]

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Popinjay

Noun

Singular:
popinjay
Plural:
popinjays

Origin of Popinjay

  • From Anglo-Norman papejei, papejoie et al., (northern) Old French papejai (“parrot"), probably from Old Provençal papagay (compare Occitan papagai, Catalan papagai), ultimately from Arabic ببغاء (babġā', “parrot"), of imitative origin.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English parrot from Old French papegai from Spanish papagayo or Old Provençal papagai both from Arabic babġā’, babaġā’ from Persian babbaghā

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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