Definition of JAY

jay

Meanings

Plural: jays

Noun

  • United States diplomat and jurist who negotiated peace treaties with Britain and served as the first chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1745-1829)
  • crested largely blue bird
  • Any of the numerous species of birds belonging to several genera within the family Corvidae, including Garrulus, Cyanocitta, Aphelocoma, Perisoreus, Cyanocorax, Gymnorhinus, Cyanolyca, Ptilostomus, and Calocitta, allied to the crows, but smaller, more graceful in form, often handsomely coloured, usually having a crest, and often noisy.
  • Any of various other birds of similar appearance and behaviour.
  • Any of various other birds of similar appearance and behaviour.
  • The Indian roller, Coracias benghalensis.
  • Any of various large papilionid butterflies of the genus Graphium.
  • A dull or ignorant person. It survives today in the term jaywalking.
  • Promiscuous woman; prostitute.
  • The name of the Latin-script letter J/j.
  • A marijuana cigarette; a joint.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English jay, from Old French jai ("jay"; Modern French geai), either from Late Latin gaius (“jay”), or from Old French gai (“gay, merry”), so named due to its plumage, from Old Frankish *gāhi (“quick, impetuous”), from Proto-Germanic *ganhuz, *ganhwaz (“sudden”), cognate with Dutch gaai (“jay”). More at gay.

Synonyms

bluejay, ignoramus, jay pie, Jenny jay, John Jay, k, kae, promiscuous woman, prostitute, whisky jack

Scrabble Score: 13

jay is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
jay is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
jay is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

jay is a valid Words With Friends word