Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Jay
Jay
,Noun.
(Zool.)
Any one of the numerous species of birds belonging to
Garrulus
, Cyanocitta
, and allied genera of the family Corvidae
. They are allied to the crows, but are smaller, more graceful in form, often handsomely colored, and usually have a crest. ☞ The European jay (
Garrulus glandarius
) is a large and handsomely colored species, having the body pale reddish brown, lighter beneath; tail and wing quills blackish; the primary coverts barred with bright blue and black; throat, tail coverts, and a large spot on the wings, white. Called also jay pie
, Jenny jay
, and kæ
. The common blue jay
(Cyanocitta cristata
.), and the related species, are brilliantly colored, and have a large erectile crest. The California jay (Aphelocoma Californica
), the Florida jay (Aphelocoma Floridana
), and the green jay (Xanthoura luxuosa
), of Texas and Mexico, are large, handsome, crested species. The Canada jay (Perisoreus Canadensis
), and several allied species, are much plainer and have no crest. See Blue jay
, and Whisky jack
. Jay thrush
(Zool.)
, any one several species of Asiatic singing birds, of the genera
Garrulax
, Grammatoptila
, and related genera of the family Crateropodidæ
; as, the white-throated
.jay thrush
(Garrulax albogularis
) (also called the white-throated laughingthrush
), of IndiaWebster 1828 Edition
Jay
JAY
,Noun.
Definition 2024
Jay
jay
jay
See also: Jay
English
Noun
jay (plural jays)
- Any one of the numerous species of birds belonging to several genera within the family Corvidae, including Garrulus, Cyanocitta, Aphelocoma, Perisoreus, Cyanocorax, Gymnorhinus, Cyanolyca, Ptilostomus, and Calocitta, allied to the crows, but smaller, more graceful in form, often handsomely colored, usually having a crest, and often noisy.
- Other birds of similar appearance and behavior.
- (archaic) A dull or ignorant person. It survives today in the term jaywalking.
- (slang) A marijuana cigarette; a joint.
- 2009, Caitlin Moran, The Times, 23 Mar 2009:
- Although sympathetic, my main reaction was to think: “Some people can handle it, and some people can’t,” and then smugly light up a big fat jay.
- 2009, Caitlin Moran, The Times, 23 Mar 2009:
Synonyms
Hyponyms
- (bird): Old World jay, gray jay, American jay
See also
-
Jay on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
-
Corvidae on Wikispecies.Wikispecies
Derived terms
terms derived from jay (bird)
Translations
bird
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Etymology 2
Respelling of the letter jy, by analogy with the following letter kay.
Noun
jay (plural jays)
See also
- (Latin-script letter names) letter; a, bee, cee, dee, e, ef, gee, aitch, i, jay, kay, el, em, en, o, pee, cue, ar, ess, tee, u, vee, double-u, ex, wye, zee/zed (Category: en:Latin letter names)
Derived terms
- deejay
- jaycee
Translations
name of the letter J, j
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References
- jay in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913