parakeet
or par·ra·keet
[ par-uh-keet ]
noun
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
11575–85; from Middle French paroquet “parrot,” apparently originally a diminutive of P(i)errot, diminutive of Pierre “Peter,” as a name for a parrot; the modern form and its earlier variants have been influenced by Italian parrocchetto and Spanish periquito (both ultimately from Middle French )
- Also par·a·quet, par·o·quet, par·ro·ket, par·ro·quet [par-uh-ket] /ˈpær əˌkɛt/ .
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for parakeet
parakeet
parrakeet
/ (ˈpærəˌkiːt) /
noun
any of numerous small usually brightly coloured long-tailed parrots, such as Psittacula krameri (ring-necked parakeet), of Africa
Origin of parakeet
1C16: from Spanish periquito and Old French paroquet parrot, of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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