词族 · popinjay
词形变化
英语词源
- popinjay
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popinjay: see parrot
- popinjay (n.)
- late 13c., "a parrot," from Old French papegai (12c.), from Spanish papagayo, from Arabic babagha', Persian babgha "parrot," possibly formed in an African or other non-Indo-European language and imitative of its cry. Ending probably assimilated in Western European languages to "jay" words (Old French jai, etc.).
Used of people in a complimentary sense (in allusion to beauty and rarity) from early 14c.; meaning "vain, talkative person" is first recorded 1520s. Obsolete figurative sense of "a target to shoot at" is explained by Cotgrave's 2nd sense definition: "also a woodden parrot (set up on the top of a steeple, high tree, or pole) whereat there is, in many parts of France, a generall shooting once euerie yeare; and an exemption, for all that yeare, from La Taille, obtained by him that strikes downe" all or part of the bird.
权威例句
- 1. You never called me an arrogant, reckless popinjay.
- 你从没叫过我傲慢无知的花花公子.
- 2. The preening popinjay has now departed the scene and good riddance, say I.
- 那只得益洋洋的鹦鹉,现在终于滚蛋了,拔了咱的眼中钉,肉中刺, 这就是我说的.