jay

Meaning

Noun

• 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 coloured, usually having a crest, and often noisy.
• Other birds of similar appearance and behaviour.
• Any of various large papilionid butterflies of the genus Graphium.
• A dull or ignorant person.
• Promiscuous woman; prostitute.
• A marijuana cigarette; a joint.

Related

Similar words

• Jenny jay, jay pie, k, kae ; bluejay, whisky jack

Narrower meaning words

• Old World jay, gray jay, American jay

Origin

• , from Old French gai ("gay, merry"), so named due to its plumage, from Old Frankish *gahi ("quick, impetuous"), from Proto-Germanic *ganhuz, *ganhwaz, cognate with Dutch gaai ("jay"). More at gay.
• Respelling of the letter jy (which see), by analogy with the following letter kay.