popinjay Hear it!

popinjay definition

pop·in·jay (päp′in jā′)

noun

  1. a parrot
  2. Obsolete a target consisting of a wooden parrot on a pole
  3. a talkative, conceited person

Etymology: ME papejai < MFr papagai, altered (infl. by gai: see jay) < Ar babghōʾ, babbaghāʾ < a WAfr language: of echoic orig.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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