Jay Meaning and Definition
Jay
Pronunciation
/deɪ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A bird of the family Corvidae, characterized by its distinctive crest and loud, rasping call, found in woodlands and gardens.
Examples
- A jay perched on the branch, its vibrant feathers catching the sunlight.
- The jay’s raucous call echoed through the forest, a signal to its fellow birds.
Synonyms
- Bird
- Corvid
Antonyms
- Pale
- Mute
Etymology
The word “Jay” originates from the Old English “gāig”, derived from the Proto-Germanic “*gawi-“, meaning “magpie”.
Usage Notes
Jay is often used to describe a bird, particularly in a garden or woodland setting. It is not typically used as a metaphorical term.
Cultural References
Jay is featured in various forms of media, including literature, film, and music. For example, the character Jay Gatsby in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” is named after the bird.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
No idiomatic expressions or phrases featuring the word “Jay” are widely recognized.
Related Words or Phrases
Words closely related to “Jay” include “magpie”, “crow”, and “raven”, all members of the Corvidae family.
Collocations
Jay is often collocated with “perch”, “branch”, “forest”, or “garden”, highlighting its habitat and behavior.
Frequency of Use
The word “Jay” is moderately common in everyday language, with a frequency of approximately 0.02% in literary and spoken English.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “Jay” include “Jae”, “Jai”, and “Jaye”.