parakeet
- any of numerous small, slender parrots, usually having a long, pointed, graduated tail, often kept as pets and noted for the ability to mimic speech: several species are endangered.
Origin of parakeet
Examples from the Web for parakeet
Contemporary Examples
There are a thousand ways to get the public on your side; talking about your wife like she is a parakeet isn't one of them.
Historical Examples
Mr. Parakeet was gasping slowly and gazing round in a circle.
The Einstein See-SawMiles John Breuer
Except for the two men and the parakeet, the Vulture was deserted.
Mr. Wicker's WindowCarley Dawson
As a parakeet, he was chained by the tough silk cord that bound his bird's foot.
Mr. Wicker's WindowCarley Dawson
He smirked and made a face at the parakeet who did its best to smirk back.
Mr. Wicker's WindowCarley Dawson
My dear Cleek, couldn't a parakeet be made to swallow a pearl?
Cleek, the Master DetectiveThomas W. Hanshew
parakeet
parrakeet
- any of numerous small usually brightly coloured long-tailed parrots, such as Psittacula krameri (ring-necked parakeet), of Africa
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for parakeet
n.
1620s, from Spanish perquito; earlier English form parroket (1580s) is from Middle French paroquet, from Old French paroquet (14c.), which is said by etymologists of French to be from Italian parrocchetto, literally "little priest," from parroco "parish priest," from Church Latin parochus (see parish), or parrucchetto, diminutive of parrucca "peruke, periwig," in reference to the head plumage.
The Spanish form, meanwhile, is sometimes said to be a diminutive of Perico, familiar form of Pedro "Peter," and the Old French word is likewise perhaps from or influenced by a diminutive of Pierre "Peter." The relations of the Spanish and Italian forms, and the influence of folk etymology on either or both, are uncertain.