Parrot definitions and example sentences on Wordnik

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Definitions (22)

American Heritage Dictionary (3)

noun Any of numerous tropical and semitropical birds of the order Psittaciformes, characterized by a short hooked bill, brightly colored plumage, and, in some species, the ability to mimic human speech or other sounds.
noun One who imitates the words or actions of another, especially without understanding them.
transitive verb To repeat or imitate, especially without understanding.

Century Dictionary (13)

Any bird of the family Psittacidæ or order Psittaci; a zygodactyl scansorial bird with a cered and hooked bill. Parrot is the general name of all such birds, various kinds of them being called cockatoos, macaws, parrakeets, lories, and by many other more specific names. When used in a stricter sense, it usually refers to Old World birds of moderate or rather large size, of stout build, with strong beak, fleshy tongue, and short square tail, as in the restricted genus Psittacus, of which the African P. erythacus, of a gray color with a bright-red tail, is a characteristic example and one of the commonest of cage-birds. The natural cries of parrots are, as a rule, extremely loud and harsh; but many of the fleshy-tongued species can be taught to articulate words and even sentences in a perfectly intelligible manner. Most parrots are expert climbers, and in scrambling about use the bill as well as the feet, the upper mandible being peculiarly movable. The tongue in some species is also used as an organ of touch, almost of prehension, objects being often held and handled between the tip of the tongue and the hook of the beak. These birds are mostly vegetarian, feeding upon seeds and especially soft fruits, but some are carnivorous. Their temper is uncertain, though several kinds exhibit the most affectionate and gentle disposition, at least toward one another. In size and shape parrots differ greatly, more than is usual among the representatives of any one family of birds: some of the smallest species are no larger than sparrows, as those of the genus Nasiterna, while the great macaws attain a length of about three feet. Their coloration is equally diversified: some are black or gray; some are snowy-white; green is the most characteristic color; yellow, red, and blue, often of the most brilliant tone, are very common; and many parrots are variegated with all these colors. The sexes are usually colored alike. Gaudiness of coloration reaches its extreme in the macaws, while the most beautiful and dainty tinting is common among the lories, and plain or somber shades are exceptional throughout the order. Of parrots of all kinds there are about 350 species, classed in from 25 to 100 genera according to the views of different ornithologists. They abound in all tropical countries, but seldom extend into temperate countries, except Australia and New Zealand. In round numbers, the geographical distribution of parrots is as follows: America is richest in species, having 150, only one of which occurs in the United States, though two or three others come nearly or quite to the Mexican border; the Moluccas and Papuan islands have 80 species, Australia 60, and Polynesia 30; 25 are African; and 20 are peculiar to Asia. See also cuts tinder cockatoo, Conurus, corella, Euphema, macaw, Melopsittacus, and parrakeet. I think the best grace of wit will shortly turn into silence, and discourse grow commendable in none only but parrots. Shak., M. of V., iii. 5. 51. And wandring thus certain daies in these unknowen seas, hunger constrained vs to eate hides, cats and dogs, mice, rats, parrots, and munkies. Hakluyt's Voyages, III. 473.
Hence A mere repeater of the words or actions of another
Fir-tree parrot. See fir-tree. (See also sea-parrot.)

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The vaporizings of the parrot were also largely inspired by the trials of the rebels, but the sagacious bird frequently drew upon such stock subjects as the follies of the gay world, the character of women, the unreliability of venal praise and interested personal satire, and the advantages of making one's will—the latter illustrated by a story. — The Life and Romances of Mrs. Eliza Haywood
How he watched a wingless feathered creature like a parrot, and began cautiously eating what it ate. — FSF,August2004
They need lots of attention and exercise. â€œI tell people that owning a parrot is a big responsibility, â€ ™ â€ ™ Usher said. â€œItâ€ ™ s like having a 2-year-old for life. â€ ™ â€ ™ — News from www.pantagraph.com
McCain is now as sick as a parrot, and wants to take his bat and ball and go home. — digg.com: Stories / Popular
John Cleese is the customer returning the parrot, who informs Michael Palin that the parrot is an "ex-parrot, bereft of life, he rests in peace, he's run down the curtain and joined the choir invisible, he's bleedin 'snuffed it" etc. — 3quarksdaily

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pigeon · owl · peacock · magpie · eagle · monkey · swan · goose · pheasant · sparrow · cuckoo · lizard

Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (3)

American Heritage Dictionary (1)

Probably from French dialectal Perrot, diminutive of Pierre, Peter.

Century Dictionary (2)

Formerly also parrote, parret, parrat, parat; supposed to be, like F. pierrot, a sparrow, from French Perrot, Pierrot, diminutive of Pierre, Peter, from Latin Petrus, from Greek Πέτρος, Peter, from πέτρος, a rock: see pier. Cf. Spanish perico, a parrot, later ult. English parrakeet: see parrakeet. Cf. petrel, mag, magpie, jack, 10, jackdaw, robin, etc., names of birds from names of persons.
from parrot, n.

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