nandhakumarms/qualc-wiktionary-en huggingface dataset:
Word: guitar Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Ancient Greek κῐθᾰ́ρᾱ (kĭthắrā)bor. Aramaic קיתראbor. Arabic قِيثَارَة (qīṯāra)bor. Old Spanish guitarra Spanish guitarrabor. English guitar From Spanish guitarra, from Arabic قِيثَارَة (qīṯāra), from Ancient Greek κῐθᾰ́ρᾱ (kĭthắrā). Doublet of cithara, cither, and zither. Pronunciation: /ɡɪˈtɑː/, /ɡɪˈtɑɹ/, /ˈɡɪt.ɑɹ/ 1. A stringed musical instrument, of European origin, usually with a fretted fingerboard and six strings, played with the fingers or a plectrum (guitar pick). Example: Learning to strum the guitar rhythmically is essential. Example: She was carrying her guitar in a fancily-decorated case. 2. Any type of musical instrument of the lute family, characterized by a flat back, along with a neck whose upper surface is in the same plane as the soundboard, with strings along the neck and parallel to the soundboard.
Word: guitar Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Etymology tree Ancient Greek κῐθᾰ́ρᾱ (kĭthắrā)bor. Aramaic קיתראbor. Arabic قِيثَارَة (qīṯāra)bor. Old Spanish guitarra Spanish guitarrabor. English guitar From Spanish guitarra, from Arabic قِيثَارَة (qīṯāra), from Ancient Greek κῐθᾰ́ρᾱ (kĭthắrā). Doublet of cithara, cither, and zither. Pronunciation: /ɡɪˈtɑː/, /ɡɪˈtɑɹ/, /ˈɡɪt.ɑɹ/ 1. To play the guitar. Labels: informal Example: We guitared and drummed and head banged and pianoed.
Word: piano Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Clipping of pianoforte, from Italian pianoforte, from piano (“soft”) + forte (“strong”). So named because it could produce a wide range of varied volumes note-by-note, in contrast to older keyboard instruments, notably the harpsichord. Doublet of llano, plain, and plane. Pronunciation: /ˈpjænəʊ/, /piˈænəʊ/, /piˈænoʊ/, /piˈænɪː/, /piˈænə/ 1. A percussive keyboard musical instrument, usually ranging over seven octaves, with white and black colored keys, played by pressing these keys, causing hammers to strike strings. Example: The piano in his house takes up a lot of space. Example: She has been taking lessons for many years and now plays piano very well.
Word: piano Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Clipping of pianoforte, from Italian pianoforte, from piano (“soft”) + forte (“strong”). So named because it could produce a wide range of varied volumes note-by-note, in contrast to older keyboard instruments, notably the harpsichord. Doublet of llano, plain, and plane. Pronunciation: /ˈpjænəʊ/, /piˈænəʊ/, /piˈænoʊ/, /piˈænɪː/, /piˈænə/ 1. To play the piano. Example: Anyhow I pianoed to my own ear, and had no thought at that time for an audience. Example: Who comforted me with Madeleines and lime tea, with whipped cream in my cocoa in far off Ann Arbor while others selfishly fiddled, bassooned, pianoed only for their own ugly self-advancement! 2. To move (the fingers) up and down on, similar to the motions of a pianist playing the piano. Example: He just stared at her, leaned back in his chair and pianoed his fingers along the tablecloth. Example: “Jean, it ain't right how you separated those two,” he said, and pianoed the little coffin with his fingers, tapping out his grievance. 3. To equip with a piano. Example: Other buildings will also be erected and pianoed by the same architect. Example: A tabernacle has been built, burnt, rebuilt, electric lighted, organed, pianoed, and frequently filled — all during the last two years.
Word: piano Part of Speech: adv Etymology: Borrowed from Italian piano. Pronunciation: /piˈɑːnəʊ/, /ˈpjɑːnəʊ/, /piˈænoʊ/, /piˈɑnoʊ/ 1. Softly, as a dynamic in a piece of music. Example: (abbreviation) p
Word: piano Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Borrowed from Italian piano. Pronunciation: /piˈɑːnəʊ/, /ˈpjɑːnəʊ/, /piˈænoʊ/, /piˈɑnoʊ/ 1. Soft, quiet. 2. Gentle, soft, subdued. Example: “Oh! yes, yes, there is not a word to be said against James Benwick[…]that soft sort of manner does not do him justice.”[…] “Well, well, ladies are the best judges; but James Benwick is rather too piano for me[…]” Example: ‘Tradecraft, Chris,’ Enderby put in, who liked his bit of jargon, and Martindale, still piano, shot him a glance of admiration.
Word: piano Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Borrowed from Italian piano. Pronunciation: /piˈɑːnəʊ/, /ˈpjɑːnəʊ/, /piˈænoʊ/, /piˈɑnoʊ/ 1. To become softer and less intense. Example: “You know, Mrs. Wrigglechops,” pianoed Miss Drucilla , even more meekly and mildly than before, "the ace is either one or eleven." Example: His tone pianoed on intimacy.
Word: bankrupt Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Partial calque of Italian bancarotta (literally “a broken bench”), from banca (“bank”, literally “bench”) + rotta (“broken, rupted”), which refers to an out-of-business bank, having its bench physically broken, signifying that the working moneylender was insolvent. Pronunciation: /ˈbæŋk.ɹəpt/, /ˈbæŋk.ɹʌpt/, /ˈbeɪ̯ŋk.ɹəpt/, /ˈbeɪ̯ŋk.ɹʌpt/ 1. In a condition of bankruptcy; unable to pay outstanding debts or meet financial obligations; specifically, having been legally declared insolvent. Labels: usually Example: a bankrupt merchant Example: "How did you go bankrupt?" Bill asked. "Two ways," Mike said. "Gradually and then suddenly." 2. Destitute of, or wholly lacking a good quality, value, etc. one should possess or once possessed. Labels: figuratively Example: a morally bankrupt politician Example: a creatively bankrupt endeavor
Word: bankrupt Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Partial calque of Italian bancarotta (literally “a broken bench”), from banca (“bank”, literally “bench”) + rotta (“broken, rupted”), which refers to an out-of-business bank, having its bench physically broken, signifying that the working moneylender was insolvent. Pronunciation: /ˈbæŋk.ɹəpt/, /ˈbæŋk.ɹʌpt/, /ˈbeɪ̯ŋk.ɹəpt/, /ˈbeɪ̯ŋk.ɹʌpt/ 1. To force into bankruptcy. Labels: transitive Example: The cost of the Mendip line had, however, bankrupted the S.D.R. [Somerset & Dorset Railway], and it was leased to the two larger companies for 999 years in 1875, and named the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway. 2. to get placed last in Tycoon with the bankruptcy rule
Word: bankrupt Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Partial calque of Italian bancarotta (literally “a broken bench”), from banca (“bank”, literally “bench”) + rotta (“broken, rupted”), which refers to an out-of-business bank, having its bench physically broken, signifying that the working moneylender was insolvent. Pronunciation: /ˈbæŋk.ɹəpt/, /ˈbæŋk.ɹʌpt/, /ˈbeɪ̯ŋk.ɹəpt/, /ˈbeɪ̯ŋk.ɹʌpt/ 1. One who becomes unable to pay his or her debts; an insolvent person; a bankruptee. 2. A trader who secretes himself, or does certain other acts tending to defraud his creditors. Labels: UK, obsolete
Word: bankruptcy Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From bankrupt + -cy, replacing earlier bankruptship. Pronunciation: /ˈbæŋ.kɹʌp(t).si/, /ˈbæŋkˌɹʌp(t).si/, /ˈbæŋk.ɹəp(t).si/, /ˈbeɪ̯ŋkˌɹʌp(t).si/, /ˈbɛ̃ŋk.ɹəp(t).si/ 1. A legally declared or recognized condition of insolvency of a person or organization. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The company ended up filing for bankruptcy. Example: He declared that these drastic steps would undoubtedly inconvenience a good many people, but the alternative was bankruptcy of the Ulster Transport Authority and the breakdown of public transport services. 2. A rule in Tycoon where if the top player does not get first place that round, they instantly get last place Labels: countable, uncountable
Word: crisis Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Latin crisis, from Ancient Greek κρίσις (krísis, “a separating, power of distinguishing, decision, choice, election, judgment, dispute”), from κρίνω (krínō, “pick out, choose, decide, judge”). Pronunciation: /ˈkɹaɪsɪs/, /ˈkɹɑesɪs/, /ˈkɹaɪsəs/, [ˈkɹɑe̯səs] 1. A crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point. 2. An unstable situation, in political, social, economic or military affairs, especially one involving an impending abrupt change. Example: The financial crisis could have been avoided and was the result of poor decision making both in Washington and at top financial firms that fostered a culture of excessive risk taking, according to a draft report written by Democrats on a panel that investigated the meltdown and obtained by Reuters. Example: The big question, I believe, is whether the Italian and maybe Spanish crises are the kind of thing that might be brought under control by ECB bond purchases. This is often phrased in terms of whether they are facing liquidity or solvency problems; but I think it’s better phrased in terms of the possibility of self-fulfilling crises, a la Obstfeld. […] So there is a reasonable case that what we’re seeing in Italy is a self-fulfilling crisis trying to happen, in which fear of default is precisely what leads to default. 3. A sudden change in the course of a disease, usually at which point the patient is expected to either recover or die. 4. A traumatic or stressful change in a person's life. Example: I'm having a major crisis trying to wallpaper the living room. 5. A point in a drama at which a conflict reaches a peak before being resolved.
Word: following Part of Speech: adj Etymology: By surface analysis, follow + -ing. Pronunciation: /ˈfɒləʊɪŋ/, /ˈfɒləɪn/, /ˈfɑloʊɪŋ/ 1. Coming next, either in sequence or in time. Labels: not-comparable Example: See the following section. Example: Towards the following morning, the thermometer fell to 5°; and at daylight, there was not an atom of water to be seen in any direction. 2. About to be specified. Labels: not-comparable Example: The following words have no definition[…] 3. Blowing in the direction of travel, as opposed to headwind; downwind. Labels: not-comparable Example: The following wind sped us on our way.
Word: following Part of Speech: prep Etymology: By surface analysis, follow + -ing. Pronunciation: /ˈfɒləʊɪŋ/, /ˈfɒləɪn/, /ˈfɑloʊɪŋ/ 1. After, subsequent to. Labels: proscribed, sometimes Example: Following the meeting, we all had a chat. Example: We published our findings following a thorough review of others' earlier reports. 2. In accordance with; as per. Example: Following all relevant safety instructions, administer a dose of the corticosteroid. Example: Administer a dose of the corticosteroid, following all relevant safety instructions.
Word: following Part of Speech: noun Etymology: By surface analysis, follow + -ing. Pronunciation: /ˈfɒləʊɪŋ/, /ˈfɒləɪn/, /ˈfɑloʊɪŋ/ 1. A group of followers, attendants or admirers; an entourage. Example: He had a loyal following. Example: And White Hart Lane was stunned when Rovers scored just five minutes after the restart in front of their away following. 2. Vocation; business; profession. 3. A thing or things to be mentioned immediately after. Labels: with-definite-article Example: The following is a recommendation letter from the president. Example: The following are the three most important questions. 4. An account which is followed. Example: When a new user joins Weibo, he should register Weibo and get a unique ID, and then he takes some existing users as his followings and waits for others to follow him. Example: A follower can follow any other users and receive any kind of tweets from his or her followings.
Word: following Part of Speech: verb Etymology: By surface analysis, follow + -ing. Pronunciation: /ˈfɒləʊɪŋ/, /ˈfɒləɪn/, /ˈfɑloʊɪŋ/ 1. present participle and gerund of follow Labels: form-of, gerund, participle, present
Word: MoF Part of Speech: name 1. Initialism of Ministry of Finance (in Japan). Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
Word: WVO Part of Speech: noun 1. Initialism of waste vegetable oil. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
Word: albero Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Latin albārius Spanish alberobor. English albero Borrowed from Spanish albero. 1. Densely packed crushed rock covering the ground where a bullfight will take place. Labels: uncountable
Word: demonym Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From demo- + -onym, from Ancient Greek δῆμος (dêmos, “people”) + ὄνυμα (ónuma, “name”). Possibly revived in 1997 by Paul Dickson of Merriam-Webster. Pronunciation: /ˈdɛmənɪm/ 1. A name for an inhabitant or native of a specific place, usually derived from the name of the place. Example: Why is it that people from the United States use American as their demonym? 2. A pseudonym formed of an adjective. Labels: obsolete Example: The Logophile has my favourite demonym; I would write under it if he didn't.
Word: octopus Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Latin octōpūs, from Ancient Greek ὀκτώπους (oktṓpous), from ὀκτώ (oktṓ, “eight”) + πούς (poús, “foot”). Piecewise doublet of octopod and octopede. Pronunciation: /ˈɒktəpʊs/, /ˈɒktəpəs/, /ˈɑktəpʊs/, /ˈɑktəpəs/ 1. Any of several marine molluscs of the order Octopoda, having no internal or external protective shell or bone (unlike the nautilus, squid and cuttlefish) and eight arms each covered with suckers. Labels: broadly, countable Example: Even octopuses without stylets almost certainly retain the molecular machinery necessary to build them. Example: In terms of diversity, cephalopods include the egg case making argonauts, shelled nautiluses, venomous blue-ringed octopuses and enigmatic giants like the giant and colossal squid. […] Fossilised ink sacs are more conclusively known from the extinct “soft-bodied” Coleoidea cephalopods in groups Belemitida (including belemnites with bullet-like internal skeletons commonly found as fossils) and Phragmoteuthida as well as from squid, octopus and cuttlefish fossils. 2. A mollusc from genus Octopus. Labels: countable 3. The flesh of these marine molluscs eaten as food. Labels: uncountable 4. An organization that has many powerful branches controlled from the centre. Labels: countable 5. An instance of a player scoring a touchdown immediately followed by a successful two-point conversion, resulting in a total score of eight points. Labels: countable, informal, uncountable 6. A safety device allowing divers to share an air supply in an emergency. Labels: countable
Word: octopus Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Latin octōpūs, from Ancient Greek ὀκτώπους (oktṓpous), from ὀκτώ (oktṓ, “eight”) + πούς (poús, “foot”). Piecewise doublet of octopod and octopede. Pronunciation: /ˈɒktəpʊs/, /ˈɒktəpəs/, /ˈɑktəpʊs/, /ˈɑktəpəs/ 1. To put (or attempt to put) one's fingers, hands or arms in many things or places at roughly the same time. Example: He rises up on his wasted legs, the healer's hands octopussed on his head. Example: A skinny, sauced-looking gent in shorts and baseball cap wandered in through the door, his arms octopussing no less than three pre-teen girls. 2. To spread out in long arms or legs in many directions. Example: The bug-eyed press octopussed to their respective word processors. Example: Dirt roads octopussed into the interior, where there were more dried mud and shrivelled crops. 3. To plug a large number of devices into a single electric outlet. Example: If they're all for a single indoor tree, caution against "octopusing" of cords from other cords, and the use of a number of cords in a single receptacle. Example: By now, the reservation had electricity so THAT had to be octopussed out to the trailers too. 4. To grow in use vastly beyond what was originally intended. Labels: broadly Example: The interlocking business organizations have octopussed beyond all imagining in recent years; they are intermingled with citizens' union-smashing committees and women's strikebreaking “patriotic” groups, such as Neutral Thousands and Women of the Pacific. Example: The busy man will do two things at once in his office; and with a little forethought he can practise what psychologist Freeman calls "brain octopussing" at home, too. 5. To hunt and catch octopuses. Example: The sport could be called octopusing or octopus hunting— and any number may play. Supposing you catch an octopus, what do you have? Example: CRABBING AND OCTOPUSSING: Use the same method whether you skindive for crabs and octopi or gather them intertidally. 6. To behave like an octopus. Example: Night fell especially dark and cold for August, inky blackness tendrilling in, octopussing even the street lamps, now dim with vague form. Example: “Strangled in the middle of the night by one of Molly's eight legs.” “Mo-om!” Molly kicked Robin in the shins. “Owww!” Robin lunged against the door. “I've been octopused!”
Word: penis Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *pes- Proto-Indo-European *pes-ni-s Proto-Italic *peznis Latin pēnislbor. English penis Learned borrowing from Latin pēnis, from Proto-Italic *peznis, from Proto-Indo-European *pes-ni-s, from *pes- (“penis”). First attested in the late 17th century. Displaced native English pintle, tarse, pillicock. Pronunciation: /ˈpiː.nɪs/, [ˈpʰiː.nɪs], /ˈpi.nɪs/, [ˈpʰi.nɪs] 1. The male erectile reproductive organ used for sexual intercourse that in the human male and other placental mammals is also used for urination; the tubular portion of the external male genitalia (excluding the scrotum). Example: The female clitoris is homologous to the male penis. Example: See, the problem is that God gives men a brain and a penis, and only enough blood to run one at a time. 2. A similar erectile sexual organ present in the cloacas of male amniotes.
Word: testicle Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Borrowed from Latin testiculus, diminutive of testis. Pronunciation: /ˈtɛstɪkəl/ 1. A testis: the male sex and endocrine gland, found in most types of animals, that produces sperm and male sex hormones, including the steroid testosterone. Example: In France, Mme. de Pompadour was induced by Louis XV to eat such testicles in order to break down her frigidity. Example: Despite your jogging and the hairiness of your legs, the shoe of aging is beginning to pinch. Soon you'll regret all that sun-tanning. Your face will look like a testicle. 2. Either half of the structure that contains the testes: one side of the scrotum and its contents, considered as one object (one half of the ballsack, including its ball).
Word: Kalaallisut Part of Speech: name Etymology: From Greenlandic kalaallisut (“Greenlandic”). 1. The Greenlandic Inuit language, spoken in Greenland. 2. The Greenlandic Inuit language, spoken in Greenland.
Word: falcon Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Inherited from Middle English faucoun, falcon, faulcon, from Old French falcun, from Late Latin falcō (“falcon”), of Germanic origin, probably via Frankish *falkō (“falcon, hawk”), from Proto-Germanic *falkô (“falcon”), from Proto-Indo-European *pol̑- (“pale”), from *pel- (“fallow”). Cognates Cognate with Old English *fealca, fealcen (“falcon”), Dutch valk (“falcon, hawk”), German Falke (“falcon, hawk”), Norwegian and Swedish falk (“falcon”), Icelandic fálki (“falcon”), French faucon (“falcon”), Italian falco (“falcon”), Spanish halcón (“falcon”), Portuguese falcão (“falcon”), Latin falco (“falcon”), Lithuanian pálšas (“pale”), Latvian bāls (“pale”), Latgalian buolgs (“pale”). More at fallow. Pronunciation: /ˈfɔː(l)kən/, /ˈfɒlkən/, /ˈfælkən/, /ˈfɑːlkən/, /ˈfoːlkən/ 1. Any bird of the genus Falco, all of which are birds of prey. 2. Any bird of prey of the subfamilies Falconinae and Herpetotherinae. 3. A female such bird, a male being a tiercel. 4. A light cannon used from the 15th to the 17th century. Labels: historical
Word: falcon Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Inherited from Middle English faucoun, falcon, faulcon, from Old French falcun, from Late Latin falcō (“falcon”), of Germanic origin, probably via Frankish *falkō (“falcon, hawk”), from Proto-Germanic *falkô (“falcon”), from Proto-Indo-European *pol̑- (“pale”), from *pel- (“fallow”). Cognates Cognate with Old English *fealca, fealcen (“falcon”), Dutch valk (“falcon, hawk”), German Falke (“falcon, hawk”), Norwegian and Swedish falk (“falcon”), Icelandic fálki (“falcon”), French faucon (“falcon”), Italian falco (“falcon”), Spanish halcón (“falcon”), Portuguese falcão (“falcon”), Latin falco (“falcon”), Lithuanian pálšas (“pale”), Latvian bāls (“pale”), Latgalian buolgs (“pale”). More at fallow. Pronunciation: /ˈfɔː(l)kən/, /ˈfɒlkən/, /ˈfælkən/, /ˈfɑːlkən/, /ˈfoːlkən/ 1. To hunt with a falcon or falcons. Example: He rode astride while hawking; she falconed in the ladylike position of sidesaddle.
Word: peregrine falcon Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /ˈpɛɹəɡɹɪn ˈfælkən/, /ˈpɛɹəɡɹɪn ˈfɔː(l)kən/ 1. A medium-sized, very swift falcon, of species Falco peregrinus, that hunts small birds.
Word: kestrel Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English castrel (“staniel, bird of prey”), from Middle French cresserelle, crecerelle (“bird of prey”), usually assumed to be from crecelle (“rattle, wooden reel”) (modern crécelle), of obscure origin. Cognates possibly include: Medieval Latin clisterella f, French crécerelle f and cristel m, Neapolitan castariello m and crestariello m, all sharing the same meaning. Derivation from the assumed Vulgar Latin *crepicella, *crepitacillum, a diminutive of crepitāculum, from crepitāre (“to crackle”) is difficult to explain from a morphological point of view. Instead, possibly from a root *krek-, *krak- (“to crack, rattle, creak, emit a bird cry”), from Middle Dutch crāken (“to creak, crack”), from Old Dutch *krakōn (“to crack, creak, emit a cry”), from Proto-West Germanic *krakōn (“to emit a cry, shout”), from Proto-Indo-European *gerg- (“to shout”). Cognate with Old High German krahhōn (“to make a sound, crash”), Old English cracian (“to resound”), French craquer (“to emit a repeated cry, used of birds”). More at creak, crack. Pronunciation: /ˈkɛstɹəl/ 1. Any of various small falcons of the genus Falco that hover while hunting. Example: When she was musing she was a kestrel, which hangs in the air by an invisible motion of its wings. Example: Up on the downs the red-eyed kestrels hover, Eyeing the grass. The field mouse flits like a shadow into cover As their shadows pass. 2. A common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus).
Word: chicken Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *keukô Proto-Germanic *keukô Proto-Germanic *kukkaz Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *-iHnos Proto-Germanic *-īnaz Proto-West Germanic *kiukīn? Proto-Germanic *kukkīną? Old English ċicen Middle English chiken English chicken From Middle English chiken (also as chike > English chick), from Old English ċicen, ċycen (“chicken”), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Proto-West Germanic *kiukīn (“chicken”), or alternatively from Proto-West Germanic *kukkīn, equivalent to cock + -en. Compare North Frisian schückling (“chicken”), Saterland Frisian Sjuuken (“chicken”), Dutch kuiken (“chick, chicken”), German Low German Küken (“chick”), whence German Küken (“chick”), (elevated, obsolete) German Küchlein (“chick”) and Old Norse kjúklingr (“chicken”). Pronunciation: /ˈt͡ʃɪkɪn/, /ˈt͡ʃɪkən/ 1. A domesticated subspecies of red junglefowl (Gallus gallus domesticus). Labels: countable Example: backyard chickens Example: barnyard chickens 2. The meat from this bird eaten as food. Labels: uncountable Example: boneless chicken Example: tastes like chicken 3. The young of any bird; a chick. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable Example: There they are – four ugly little chickens, a bit more than half-feathered, and all gaping mouths and bare bellies. 4. A coward. Labels: countable, derogatory, slang, sometimes Example: 'Why, what a chicken you are! You are not afraid of being robbed; are you?' said Jonas. Example: Then he had an inspiration. "There is Roxton," said he. "He's not a chicken, but he is a useful man in a row. I think I could get him." 5. A young or inexperienced person. Labels: countable, derogatory, slang, sometimes Example: Purſue your trade of ſcandal-picking, Your hints, that Stella is no chicken: Your innuendos, when you tell us, That Stella loves to talk with fellows; […] Example: "This case will make a stir, sir," he remarked. "It beats anything I have seen, and I am no chicken." 6. A young, attractive, slim man, usually having little body hair; compare chickenhawk. Labels: Polari, countable Example: Europe's Favorite Gay Newspaper has something for you! Handsome studs, Tender Chicken, and lots of Male Nudes! Example: I am a little white chicken, beautiful as sweet and young as beautiful and soft as young and gay as soft and innocent as gay. I dare you to write. 7. The game of dare. Labels: uncountable 8. The game of dare. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Don't play chicken with a freight train; you're guaranteed to lose. Example: The Mini surged forward too. The cars were hurtling towards each other across the pitch. This was a dangerous game of chicken. Who would crumble first? 9. A simple dance in which the movements of a chicken are imitated. Labels: countable, uncountable 10. A kilogram of cocaine. Labels: US, countable, slang, uncountable Example: Up early in the morning trappin' (Trap-trap) You can get 'em how you askin' (Ask) How many chickens? You can get 'em whichever way Nigga, trap turned Zaxby's (Zax) 11. A small pewter pot used in a tavern. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable
Word: chicken Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *keukô Proto-Germanic *keukô Proto-Germanic *kukkaz Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *-iHnos Proto-Germanic *-īnaz Proto-West Germanic *kiukīn? Proto-Germanic *kukkīną? Old English ċicen Middle English chiken English chicken From Middle English chiken (also as chike > English chick), from Old English ċicen, ċycen (“chicken”), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Proto-West Germanic *kiukīn (“chicken”), or alternatively from Proto-West Germanic *kukkīn, equivalent to cock + -en. Compare North Frisian schückling (“chicken”), Saterland Frisian Sjuuken (“chicken”), Dutch kuiken (“chick, chicken”), German Low German Küken (“chick”), whence German Küken (“chick”), (elevated, obsolete) German Küchlein (“chick”) and Old Norse kjúklingr (“chicken”). Pronunciation: /ˈt͡ʃɪkɪn/, /ˈt͡ʃɪkən/ 1. Cowardly. Labels: derogatory, informal, sometimes Example: Why do you refuse to fight? Huh, I guess you're just too chicken.
Word: chicken Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Shortening of chicken out. Pronunciation: /ˈt͡ʃɪkɪn/, /ˈt͡ʃɪkən/ 1. To avoid a situation one is afraid of. Labels: intransitive Example: For the umpteenth time, I chickened. Example: ABE: What are you chucking it for, then? You're running, aren't you? Running, cos you chickened. SLIM: All right, so I chickened.
Word: chicken Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From chick + -en (plural ending). Pronunciation: /ˈt͡ʃɪkɪn/, /ˈt͡ʃɪkən/ 1. plural of chick Labels: UK, dialectal, form-of, obsolete, plural Example: The 21 or 22 day the Chicken are hatch'd; […]
Word: rooster Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From roost + -er. In the regions where it is used, displaced cock through taboo avoidance. Compare typologically Russian насе́дка (nasédka) (akin to наси́живать (nasíživatʹ), also akin to насе́ст (nasést)). Pronunciation: /ˈɹuːstə/, /ˈɹʉwstə/, /ˈɹustɚ/, /ˈɹʉːstə/, /ˈɾuːstə/ 1. A male domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) or other gallinaceous bird. Labels: Australia, Canada, Kent, New-Zealand, US, countable, uncountable Example: Their other dish […] contain'd a number of roast fowls—half a dozen, we suppose, & all roosters at this season no doubt. Example: The produce of two hens and a cock, or rooster, as the Yankees term that bird. 2. A bird or bat which roosts or is roosting. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The more leisured flight of the roosters [sc. starlings] was in contrast to the steady procession of the migrants. Example: Ground roosters like Northern Harriers may be subject to predation by Great-horned Owls […] but still larger perchers like herons and Ospreys use snags or posts in conspicuous places but are large enough to escape aerial predators. 3. An informer. Labels: countable, figuratively, obsolete, slang, uncountable 4. A violent or disorderly person. Labels: countable, figuratively, obsolete, slang, uncountable 5. A powerful, prideful, or pompous person. Labels: countable, figuratively, uncountable 6. A man. Labels: New-Zealand, countable, figuratively, uncountable 7. A wild violet, when used in a children's game based on cockfighting. Labels: US, countable, historical, regional, uncountable Example: In April they played Hens and Roosters, yoking their wild white and blue violets to see which would get its head pulled off. 8. Legislation solely devised to benefit the legislators proposing it. Labels: US, obsolete, slang, uncountable Example: American demoralisation... has carried rooster into the halls of republican legislation, where it indicates a bill or proposed law which will remunerate the legislators.
Word: jay Part of Speech: noun 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. Pronunciation: /ˈd͡ʒeɪ/ 1. 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. 2. Any of various other birds of similar appearance and behaviour. 3. Any of various other birds of similar appearance and behaviour. Example: They are the commonality of birddom, who furnish forth the mobs which bewilder the drunken-flighted jay when he jerks, shrieking in a series of blue hyphen-flashes through the air […] 4. Any of various large papilionid butterflies of the genus Graphium. 5. A dull or ignorant person. It survives today in the term jaywalking. Labels: archaic Example: Burlington Bertie's the latest young jay He rents a swell flat somewhere Kensington way He spends the good oof that his pater has made Along with the Brandy and Soda Brigade. 6. Promiscuous woman; prostitute. Labels: obsolete Example: Some jay of Italy, / Whose mother was her painting, hath betray'd him:
Word: jay Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Respelling of the letter jy (which see), by analogy with the following letter kay. Pronunciation: /ˈd͡ʒeɪ/ 1. The name of the Latin script letter J/j. 2. A marijuana cigarette; a joint. Labels: slang Example: Although sympathetic, my main reaction was to think: “Some people can handle it, and some people can’t,” and then smugly light up a big fat jay.
Word: vulture Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Borrowed into Middle English from Anglo-Norman vultur, from Old French voutoir, voutre, from Latin vultur, voltur. Displaced native Old English ūf. Pronunciation: /ˈvʌltʃə/, /ˈvʌlt͡ʃɚ/ 1. Any of several carrion-eating birds of the families Accipitridae and Cathartidae. Example: The outer third of the wing of a vulture consists of the wing tips. The inner two-thirds of the wing are cambered (when the wing is extended), and are concerned with lifting effort in unsoarable air and with lifting and tractive effort in soarable air. Example: In clusters on the plain, like cowlless monks at matins, sat the vultures that had settled on the corpse of the hyena impaled by the female rhino […] 2. A person who profits from the suffering of others. Labels: colloquial, figuratively Example: Within ten minutes of the accident, the vultures appeared and were organizing lawsuits.
Word: vulture Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Borrowed into Middle English from Anglo-Norman vultur, from Old French voutoir, voutre, from Latin vultur, voltur. Displaced native Old English ūf. Pronunciation: /ˈvʌltʃə/, /ˈvʌlt͡ʃɚ/ 1. To circle around one's target as if one were a vulture. Labels: colloquial, figuratively Example: Rudy vultured when asking the girl out.
Word: vulture Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Borrowed into Middle English from Anglo-Norman vultur, from Old French voutoir, voutre, from Latin vultur, voltur. Displaced native Old English ūf. Pronunciation: /ˈvʌltʃə/, /ˈvʌlt͡ʃɚ/ 1. ravenous; rapacious Labels: obsolete Example: Whose vultur thought doth pitch the price so hie, That she will draw his lips rich treasure drie.
Word: swallow Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English swolwen, from Old English swelgan, from Proto-West Germanic *swelgan, from Proto-Germanic *swelganą (“to swallow, revel, devour”), from Proto-Indo-European *swelk- (“to gulp”). Cognate with Dutch zwelgen (“to revel, carouse, guzzle”), German schwelgen (“to delight, indulge”), Danish svælge (“to swallow”), Norwegian Bokmål svelge (“to swallow”), Norwegian Nynorsk svelgje (“to swallow”), Swedish svälja (“to swallow, gulp”), Faroese svølgja (“to swallow”), Icelandic svelgja (“to swallow”), Old English swillan, swilian (“to swill, wash out, gargle”). See also swill. The noun is from Middle English swolow, swolwe, from Old English swelh, swelg (“gulf, chasm”) and ġeswelge (“gulf, chasm, abyss, whirlpool”), both from Proto-West Germanic *swelg, *swalgi, from Proto-Germanic *swelgaz, *swalgiz. Cognate with Old English swiliġe (“pit”), Scots swelch, swellie, swallie (“an abyss in the sea, whirpool”), Middle Low German swelch (“whirlpool, eddy”), Dutch zwelg (“gorge, chasm, gullet, throat”), Old Norse svelgr (“whirlpool, current, stream”). Pronunciation: /ˈswɒl.əʊ/, /ˈswɒl.ə/, /ˈswɑ.loʊ/, [ˈswɑ.loʊ̯], /ˈswɑlə/ 1. The amount swallowed in one gulp; the act of swallowing. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: He took the aspirin with a single swallow of water. Example: She took a swallow of milk and made a face. "This milk is blinky." 2. A deep chasm or abyss in the earth. Labels: archaic, countable, uncountable 3. The mouth and throat; that which is used for swallowing; the gullet. Labels: archaic, countable, uncountable Example: The door burst wide open, and he saw nothing but a gaping jaw extending from the threshold up to the lintel. "There is a mouthful for you," said the youngster, and threw the pauper boy into the swallow; "taste that! But let me see now who you are! Perhaps you are an old acquaintance?" And so it was; it was the devil who was about again. 4. The opening in a pulley block between the sheave and shell through which the rope passes. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: In addition, j-lock shackles can pass through the swallow of a modern genoa track even with a sheet in tension already there, and this is very useful when preparing a sail change on the same tack. Example: Blocks are made in a great variety of patterns. All are designed to be used one way. The rope goes through the swallow. 5. Any of various carbohydrate-based dishes that are swallowed without much chewing, commonly paired and eaten with various types of soup. Labels: Nigeria, countable, uncountable
Word: swallow Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English swalwe, swalewe, swalowe, from Old English swealwe, from Proto-West Germanic *swalwā, from Proto-Germanic *swalwǭ. Cognate with Norwegian and Danish svale, Dutch zwaluw, German Schwalbe, Swedish svala. Pronunciation: /ˈswɒl.əʊ/, /ˈswɒl.ə/, /ˈswɑ.loʊ/, [ˈswɑ.loʊ̯], /ˈswɑlə/ 1. A small, migratory bird of the Hirundinidae family with long, pointed, moon-shaped wings and a forked tail which feeds on the wing by catching insects.
Word: gull Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Inherited from Middle English gulle, from a Brythonic language (compare Breton gouelan, Welsh gwylan, and Cornish golan), from Proto-Brythonic *gwuɨlann, from Proto-Celtic *weilannā (“seagull”). Cognate with Old Irish foílenn, Scottish Gaelic faoileag. Compare French goéland, a borrowing from Breton. Eclipsed Middle English lare (borrowed from Latin larus) and Middle English mewe (from Old English mæw). Pronunciation: /ˈɡʌl/, /ɡʊl/ 1. A seabird of the genus Larus or of the subfamily Larinae. Example: The tide was out, and we drew up amid the strong bracing smell of seaweed, with gulls screeching, wheeling around, and gliding on the wind. Example: Most gulls don’t bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight—how to get from shore to food and back again.[…]For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight. 2. Any of various pierid butterflies of the genus Cepora.
Word: gull Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Perhaps from an obsolete term gull (“to swallow, guzzle”), from Middle English golen (“to make swallowing motions, gape”), from Middle English gole (“throat”). Pronunciation: /ˈɡʌl/, /ɡʊl/ 1. A cheating trick; a fraud. Labels: slang Example: BENEDICK. [Aside] I should think this a gull, but that the white-bearded fellow speaks it: knavery cannot, sure, hide itself in such reverence. 2. A stupid animal. 3. One easily cheated; a dupe. 4. A swindler or trickster. Labels: obsolete Example: You'll excuse me, sir, but as you are fresh, take care to avoid the gulls; they fly about here in large flocks, I assure you, and do no little mischief at times." "I never understood that gulls were birds of prey," said I.—"Only in Oxford, sir; and here, I assure you, they bite like hawks, and pick many a poor young gentleman as bare before his three years are expired, as the crows would a dead sheep upon a common. […]"
Word: gull Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Perhaps from an obsolete term gull (“to swallow, guzzle”), from Middle English golen (“to make swallowing motions, gape”), from Middle English gole (“throat”). Pronunciation: /ˈɡʌl/, /ɡʊl/ 1. To deceive or cheat. Example: O, but to ha' gulled him / Had been a mastery. Example: The vulgar, gulled into rebellion, armed. 2. To mislead. Labels: US, slang 3. To trick and defraud. Labels: US, slang 4. To flatter, wheedle. Labels: dialectal
Word: gull Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English gole (“a whirlpool, narrow inlet of the sea, ditch or stream”), from Middle Low German goel, gȫl, gȫle (“swamp, marshy lowland”), related to Old Dutch gulla (“pool, puddle”), Old French goille (“pool, puddle, pond”), all ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *goli, *golljā (“puddle”), perhaps from Proto-Germanic *guljaz, *guljǭ. Pronunciation: /ˈɡʌl/, /ɡʊl/ 1. A breach or hole made by the force of a torrent; fissure, chasm. Labels: dialectal 2. A channel made by a stream; a natural watercourse; running water. Labels: dialectal
Word: gull Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English gole (“a whirlpool, narrow inlet of the sea, ditch or stream”), from Middle Low German goel, gȫl, gȫle (“swamp, marshy lowland”), related to Old Dutch gulla (“pool, puddle”), Old French goille (“pool, puddle, pond”), all ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *goli, *golljā (“puddle”), perhaps from Proto-Germanic *guljaz, *guljǭ. Pronunciation: /ˈɡʌl/, /ɡʊl/ 1. To sweep away by the force of running water; to carve or wear into a gully. Labels: dialectal
Word: common gull Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /ˈkɒmən ˌɡʌl/, /ˈkɑːmən ˌɡʌl/ 1. A medium-sized gull, Larus canus. 2. A butterfly of southern and eastern Asia (Cepora nerissa).
Word: nightingale Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Inherited from Middle English nyghtyngale, nightingale, niȝtingale, alteration (with intrusive n) of nyghtgale, nightegale, from Old English nihtegala, nihtegale (“nightingale; night-raven”, literally “night-singer”), from Proto-West Germanic *nahtigalā (“nightingale”), equivalent to a compound of night + gale. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Noachtegoal (“nightingale”), Dutch nachtegaal (“nightingale”), German Low German Nachtigall (“nightingale”), German Nachtigall (“nightingale”), Danish nattergal (“thrush nightingale”), Swedish näktergal (“nightingale”), Icelandic næturgali (“nightingale”). Pronunciation: /ˈnaɪtɪŋɡeɪl/ 1. A Eurasian and African songbird, Luscinia megarhynchos, family Muscicapidae, famed for its beautiful singing at night; a common nightingale. Example: Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet neere day: / It was the Nightingale, and not the Larke, / That pier'ſt the fearefull hollow of thine eare Example: Some admired the external beauties of the objects they beheld, like the nightingale in love with the roſe.
Word: nightingale Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Named after Florence Nightingale. Pronunciation: /ˈnaɪtɪŋɡeɪl/ 1. A kind of flannel scarf with sleeves, formerly worn by invalids when sitting up in bed.
Word: guinea fowl Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Named after Guinea as it was imported from there. Pronunciation: /ˈɡɪni ˌfaʊl/ 1. Any of several African birds of the family Numididae (6 species) resembling partridges. Labels: countable Example: A tiny white head with a small red wattle hanging from its beak was peeking into our tent. It whistled softly. I laughed. A guinea fowl. 2. The meat of this bird. Labels: uncountable Example: While Lawrence had given her the uncut version of his divorce, she had stolidly munched her way through a vast plate of guinea fowl stuffed with foie gras, boulangère potatoes and a wigwam of French beans. Example: To the right is a long table housing a mouth-watering buffet of roast duck on platters, surrounded by smaller plates of guinea fowl, French bread, cold meats, and egg segments.
Word: apex Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep-der. Proto-Italic *apeks Latin apexbor. English apex Borrowed from Latin apex (“point, tip, summit”). Pronunciation: /ˈeɪ.pɛks/ 1. The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point. Example: the apex of the building Example: Drone cameras show that his car reached the apex first. 2. The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point. 3. The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point. Example: B.P. 118/68. Grade I diastolic murmur best heard over apex. Patient well and had no complaints referable to heart. Origin of the diastolic murmur is open to conjecture. 4. The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point. 5. The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point. 6. The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point. 7. The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point. 8. The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point. 9. The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point. Labels: US 10. The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point. 11. The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point. 12. The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point. 13. The highest or the greatest part of something, especially forming a point. 14. An obstacle for a horse to jump over, consisting of a triangular corner fence. 15. The moment of greatest success, expansion, etc. Labels: figuratively Example: the apex of civilization Example: It would be an intense disgust. The absolute apex of teen angst. 16. The top of the food chain. Labels: attributive 17. A conical priest cap.
Word: tit Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English tit, titte, tette, from Old English tit, titt, from Proto-West Germanic *titt, from Proto-Germanic *tittaz (“teat; nipple; breast”), of expressive origin. Perhaps related to an original meaning “to suck”; compare Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁-y-. Doublet of teat, which was borrowed from Old French. Cognates Cognate with Saterland Frisian Tit, Dutch tiet, dialectal Dutch tet, German Zitze, Titte, Hunsrik Ditz, Yiddish ציצע (tsitse). Pronunciation: /tɪt/ 1. A person's breast or nipple. Labels: in-plural, slang, vulgar Example: I have enjoyed taking to my writing bureau and writing about poverty, benefit reform and the coalition government in the manner of a shit Dickens, or Orwell, but with tits. Example: Sanch tossed his head back, threw open his shirt, cupped his beanbag-shaped male breasts and jiggled them at us. Ford and I were laughing but Kat said, "I think they're the most beautiful tits." 2. An animal's teat or udder. Labels: slang, vulgar Example: A large bowl of suckulent ^([sic]) raspberries with clotted yellow cream fresh from the goat's tit on the diamond and ruby-studded glass end-table. 3. An idiot; a fool. Labels: Ireland, UK, derogatory, slang, vulgar Example: Look at that tit driving on the wrong side of the road! Example: I know a lot of tits, Guv'nor. But I don't know any quite as fucking stupid as these two. 4. A police officer; a "tithead". Labels: Ireland, UK, derogatory, slang, vulgar
Word: tit Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Perhaps imitative of light tap. Compare earlier tip for tap (“blow for blow”), from tip + tap; compare also dialectal tint for tant. Pronunciation: /tɪt/ 1. A light blow or hit (now usually in the phrase tit for tat). Labels: archaic, slang, vulgar
Word: tit Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Perhaps imitative of light tap. Compare earlier tip for tap (“blow for blow”), from tip + tap; compare also dialectal tint for tant. Pronunciation: /tɪt/ 1. To strike lightly, tap, pat. Labels: intransitive, obsolete, slang, transitive, vulgar Example: Come tit me, come tat me, come throw a kiss at me—how is that? 2. To taunt, to reproach. Labels: obsolete, slang, transitive, vulgar Example: they would vpbraid me therewith calling me idle Drone; Titting and flouting at me, that I should offer to sit downe at boord with cleane hand.
Word: tit Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Probably of North Germanic/Scandinavian origin; found earliest in titling and titmouse; compare Faroese títlingur, dialectal Norwegian titling (“small stockfish”). Pronunciation: /tɪt/ 1. A chickadee; a small passerine bird of the genus Parus or the family Paridae, common in the Northern Hemisphere. Labels: slang, vulgar 2. Any of various other small passerine birds. Labels: slang, vulgar 3. A small horse; a nag. Labels: archaic, slang, vulgar Example: […] he was reſolved, for the time to come, to ride his tit with more ſobriety. Example: Bob trotted gently by the side of the carriage. “Not a bad looking tit,” said St. Leger, as they went along. 4. A young girl, later especially a minx, hussy. Labels: archaic, slang, vulgar Example: "What sort of a feringee is this?" said a lively little tit—"eh?" Example: But I don't mind; she's a pretty little tit, and Dick has taught her to call me uncle. 5. A morsel; a bit. Labels: slang, vulgar Example: Now if you can shew so neat a foot, ( shewing her shoe ) —Parlez moi de ça : —I suppose I was not noble enough for this squire; he must have a bit a blood, a tit of quality — but I shall be a countess soon, and a mighty good sort of countess I shall make. Example: Being drunk , he remembers not a tit of life before the drink came well home. It is not that he sees the past mistily; he does not see at all. He lives then only in as much of the present as the word of his master for the time being[…]
Word: great tit Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /ˈɡɹeɪt tɪt/ 1. A bird in the Paridae family, Parus major.
Word: sparrow Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English sparewe, sparowe, sparu, sparwe, spearewe, sperrewe, from Old English spearwa, from Proto-West Germanic *sparwō, from Proto-Germanic *sparwô, from Proto-Indo-European *spḗr (“sparrow”). Cognates Cognate with Yola sparrowe (“sparrow”), North Frisian sparag, spåri (“sparrow”), Saterland Frisian Spräie (“sparrow”), Alemannic German and Luxembourgish Spatz (“sparrow”), Dutch spreeuw (“starling”), German Spatz, Sperling (“sparrow”), Vilamovian śpielik, śpjelik, śpjeliḱ (“sparrow”), Yiddish שפּערל (shperl, “sparrow”), Danish and Norwegian Bokmål spurv (“sparrow”), Faroese spurvur (“sparrow”), Norwegian Nynorsk sporv (“sparrow”), Swedish sparv (“sparrow”), Gothic 𐍃𐍀𐌰𐍂𐍅𐌰 (sparwa, “sparrow”); also Latin parra (“bird of ill omen”), Ancient Greek ψάρ (psár), ψήρ (psḗr, “starling”). Pronunciation: /ˈspæɹəʊ/, /ˈspaɹəw/, /ˈspæɹoʊ/, /ˈspɛɹoʊ/, /ˈspaɾo/ 1. The house sparrow, Passer domesticus; a small bird with a short bill, and brown, white and gray feathers. Example: Man progresses generally, not both legs at once like a sparrow, but by putting one leg forward first, and then the other. Example: In a poem by Sappho, Aphrodite is represented as riding in a car drawn by sparrows. 2. A member of the family Passeridae, comprising small Old World songbirds. 3. A member of the family Passerellidae (or Emberizidae, under classification systems that subsume the New World sparrows under Emberizidae), comprising small New World songbirds. 4. Generically, any small, nondescript bird. 5. A quick-witted, lively person. Labels: London, UK Example: cockney sparrow Example: I take it there 's scarcely a happier fellow alive than your honest town-bred smoke-dried cockney sparrow.