magpie

[ mag-pahy ]

noun

1. either of two corvine birds, Pica pica black-billed magpie, of Eurasia and North America, or P. nuttalli yellow-billed magpie, of California, having long, graduated tails, black-and-white plumage, and noisy, mischievous habits.
2. any of several related corvine birds.
3. any of several black-and-white birds not related to the true magpies, as Gymnorhina tibicen, of Australia.
4. an incessantly talkative person; noisy chatterer; chatterbox.
5. a person who collects or hoards things, especially indiscriminately.
6. Western U.S. a black-and-white cow or steer, as a Holstein.

magpie

/ ˈmæɡˌpaɪ /

noun

1. any of various passerine birds of the genus Pica, esp P. pica, having a black-and-white plumage, long tail, and a chattering call: family Corvidae (crows, etc)
2. any of various similar birds of the Australian family Cracticidae See also butcherbird
3. any of various other similar or related birds
4. often capital a variety of domestic fancy pigeon typically having black-and-white markings
5. a person who hoards small objects
6. a person who chatters
7. 1. the outmost ring but one on a target
   2. a shot that hits this ring

Word History and Origins

Origin of magpie¹

1595–1605; Mag Margaret + pie ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of magpie¹

C17: from Mag diminutive of Margaret, used to signify a chatterbox + pie ²

Related Words

• debater
• orator