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Popinjay

//ˈpɑpənˌd͡ʒeɪ// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A parrot.

    "[I]nnumerable popingayes of ſundry kindes are found chattering in the groues of thoſe fenny places."

  2. 2
    an archaic term for a parrot wordnet
  3. 3
    A decorative image of a parrot on a tapestry, cloth etc. obsolete
  4. 4
    a vain and talkative person (chatters like a parrot) wordnet
  5. 5
    A vain, gaudy person; someone who is shallow or superficial. dated

    "The very quintessence of popinjay vulgarity is reached when nicely is made to do service for well, in this wise: "How do you do?" "Nicely." "How are you?" "Nicely.""

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  1. 6
    A target to shoot at, typically stuffed with feathers or plumage.
  2. 7
    The green woodpecker, Picus viridis. UK

Etymology

From Middle English popinjay, popyngeay, popingay, popejay, from Anglo-Norman papegai, papejoie et al., (northern) Old French papejai (“parrot”), probably from Old Occitan papagay (compare Occitan papagai, Catalan papagai), ultimately from Arabic بَبْغَاء (babḡāʔ, “parrot”), of imitative origin.

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