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popinjay

pop·in·jay
P p

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [pop-in-jey]
    • /ˈpɒp ɪnˌdʒeɪ/
    • /ˈpɒ.pɪn.dʒeɪ/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [pop-in-jey]
    • /ˈpɒp ɪnˌdʒeɪ/

Definitions of popinjay word

  • noun popinjay a person given to vain, pretentious displays and empty chatter; coxcomb; fop. 1
  • noun popinjay British Dialect. a woodpecker, especially the green woodpecker. 1
  • noun popinjay Archaic. the figure of a parrot usually fixed on a pole and used as a target in archery and gun shooting. 1
  • noun popinjay Archaic. a parrot. 1
  • noun popinjay a conceited, foppish, or excessively talkative person 0
  • noun popinjay the figure of a parrot used as a target 0

Information block about the term

Origin of popinjay

First appearance:

before 1275
One of the 13% oldest English words
1275-1325; Middle English papejay, popingay, papinjai(e) < Middle French papegai, papingay parrot < Spanish papagayo < Arabic bab(ba)ghā'

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Popinjay

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

popinjay popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 51% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

popinjay usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for popinjay

noun popinjay

  • clotheshorse — a frame on which to hang laundry for drying or airing
  • coxcomb — a foppish man
  • fob — a small pocket just below the waistline in trousers for a watch, keys, change, etc. Compare watch pocket.
  • fobs — a small pocket just below the waistline in trousers for a watch, keys, change, etc. Compare watch pocket.
  • fop — a man who is excessively vain and concerned about his dress, appearance, and manners.

Top questions with popinjay

  • what is a popinjay?
  • what is popinjay?
  • what does popinjay mean?

See also

Matching words

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