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parroquet

 - 3 dictionary results

par⋅a⋅keet

  [par-uh-keet]
Use parroquet in a Sentence
–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.
Also, paraquet, paroquet, parrakeet, parroket, parroquet.

Origin:
1575–85; < MF paroquet parrot, appar. orig. a dim. of P(i)errot, dim. of Pierre Peter, as a name for a parrot; the modern form and its earlier vars. have been influenced by It parrocchetto and Sp periquito (both ult. < MF)

par⋅ro⋅ket

  [par-uh-ket]
–noun
parakeet.
Also, par⋅ro⋅quet.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To parroquet
Word Origin & History

parakeet 
1621, from Sp. perquito; earlier Eng. form parroket (1581) is from M.Fr. paroquet, from O.Fr. paroquet (14c.), which is said by etymologists of Fr. to be from It. parrocchetto, lit. "little priest," from parroco "parish priest," from Church L. parochus (see parish), or parrucchetto, dim. of parrucca "peruke, periwig," in ref. to the head plumage. The Sp. form, meanwhile, is sometimes said to be a dim. of Perico, familiar form of Pedro "Peter," and the O.Fr. word is likewise perhaps from or infl. by a dim. of Pierre "Peter." The relations of the Sp. and It. forms, and the influence of folk etymology on either or both, are uncertain.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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