popinjay
(now, archaic, outside, heraldiccharge) A parrot.
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UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK
(now, archaic, outside, heraldiccharge) A parrot.
The very quintessence of popinjay vulgarity is reached when nicely is made to do service for well, in this wise: "How do you do?" "Nicely." "How are you?" "Nicely."
Origin: From , popyngeay, popingay, popejay, from , papejoie et al., (northern) , probably from (compare , ), ultimately from , of imitative origin. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK
(obsolete) A decorative image of a parrot on a tapestry, cloth etc.
The very quintessence of popinjay vulgarity is reached when nicely is made to do service for well, in this wise: "How do you do?" "Nicely." "How are you?" "Nicely."
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UK
#3·Apr 27, 2026UK
(dated) A vain, gaudy person; someone who is shallow or superficial.
The very quintessence of popinjay vulgarity is reached when nicely is made to do service for well, in this wise: "How do you do?" "Nicely." "How are you?" "Nicely."
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