jay

¹

[ jey ]

noun

1. any of several noisy, vivacious birds of the crow family, subfamily Garrulinae, as the crested Garrulus glandarius, of the Old World, having brownish plumage with blue, black, and white barring on the wings. Compare blue jay, gray jay.
2. Informal. a simpleminded or gullible person.

jay

²

[ jey ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a marijuana cigarette.

Jay

³

[ jey ]

noun

1. John, 1745–1829, U.S. statesman and jurist: first chief justice of the U.S. 1789–95.
2. a male given name.

jay

¹

/ dʒeɪ /

noun

1. any of various passerine birds of the family Corvidae (crows), esp the Eurasian Garrulus glandarius, with a pinkish-brown body, blue-and-black wings, and a black-and-white crest See also blue jay
2. a foolish or gullible person

Jay

²

/ dʒeɪ /

noun

1. JayJohn17451829MUSPOLITICS: statesmanLAW: juristPOLITICS: diplomat John 1745–1829, American statesman, jurist, and diplomat; first chief justice of the Supreme Court (1789–95). He negotiated the treaty with Great Britain ( Jay's treaty , 1794), that settled outstanding disputes

Word History and Origins

Origin of jay¹

1275–35; Middle English jai < Middle French < Late Latin gāius, gāia, perhaps after Latin Gāius man's name

Origin of jay²

First recorded in 1965–70; probably spelling of initial consonant of joint, perhaps suggested by pig Latin version ointjay

Word History and Origins

Origin of jay¹

C13: from Old French jai, from Late Latin gāius, perhaps from proper name Gāius

Example Sentences

Native reptiles and birds, including the Be’er Sheva fringe-fingered lizard, the pin-tailed sandgrouse and the spectacled warbler, are now fall easy prey for crows and jays perched in the tree branches.

From Salon

However, if the city is successful in planting more trees to help combat extreme heat, it could have the added benefit of hosting more birds such as acorn woodpeckers and California scrub jays.

From Los Angeles Times

Steller’s jays and robins may appear when you start cooking your dinner, optimistic for a treat.

From Los Angeles Times

Hiding amongst the plants is one of T. christinae's key defenses as hungry birds, such as scrub jays, are insatiable predators of the stick insects.

From Science Daily

It is a backyard visited by darting sparrows and dignified blue jays lingering in the skeletal tree branches of spring.

From Salon