Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Jay

Jay

,
Noun.
[F.
geai
, OF.
gai
,
jaj
, perh. fr. OHG.
gāhi
. Cf.
Gay
.]
(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
. 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 India
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Jay

JAY

,
Noun.
A bird, the Corvus glandarius.

Definition 2024


Jay

Jay

See also: jay

English

Proper noun

Jay

  1. A nickname for James, Jason, or for any male name beginning with a "J"; also used as a formal given name.
  2. A nickname of female names beginning with a "J".

See also

jay

jay

See also: Jay

English

Noun

jay (plural jays)

  1. 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.
  2. Other birds of similar appearance and behavior.
  3. (archaic) A dull or ignorant person. It survives today in the term jaywalking.
  4. (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.
Synonyms
Hyponyms
See also
Derived terms
Translations

Etymology 2

Respelling of the letter jy, by analogy with the following letter kay.

Noun

jay (plural jays)

  1. The name of the Latin-script letter J/j.
See also
Derived terms
Translations

References

  • jay in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913