jay
Any of the numerous species of birds belonging to several genera within the family…Any 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 coloured, usually having a crest, and often noisy.
» Jay-walking is dangerous.
Meaning
8 sensesAny 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 coloured, usually having a crest, and often noisy.
Any of various other birds of similar appearance and behaviour.
Häher, Hähermännchen, Häherweibchen
со́йкаsójka
сойкаsojka
Any of various other birds of similar appearance and behaviour.
The Indian roller, Coracias benghalensis.
Any of various large papilionid butterflies of the genus Graphium.
The name of the Latin script letter J/j.
Jot
джейdžej, йотjot, жиži
(slang)A marijuana cigarette; a joint.
(archaic)A dull or ignorant person. It survives today in the term jaywalking.
(obsolete)Promiscuous woman; prostitute.
- crested largely blue bird
- United States diplomat and jurist who negotiated peace treaties with Britain and served as the first chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1745-1829)
Examples
24 sentencesJay-walking is dangerous.
There's a beautiful blue jay nearby.
Sami sat there, smoking his jay.
Kalman watched a blue jay fly.
They spotted a blue jay flying.
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 2
By meaning 2
Origin
From Middle English jay, from Old French jai ("jay"; Modern French geai), either from LateFrom Middle English jay, from Old French jai ("jay"; Modern French geai), either from Late Latin gaius (“jay”), or from Old French gai (“gay, merry”), so named due to its plumage, from Old Frankish *gāhi (“quick, impetuous”), from Proto-Germanic *ganhuz, *ganhwaz (“sudden”), cognate with Dutch gaai (“jay”). More at gay.
Respelling of the letter jy (which see), by analogy with the following letter kay.
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Forms
plural: jaysSynonyms
10 synonyms- United States diplomat and jurist who negotiated peace treaties with Britain and served as the first chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1745-1829):John Jay