popinjay

plural popinjays

1. now archaic outside heraldryA parrot.First known use 14th c.; in heraldry from 15th c.

   [I]nnumerable popingayes of ſundry kindes are found chattering in the groues of thoſe fenny places.

   1555, Peter Martyr of Angleria [i.e., Peter Martyr d’Anghiera], “The Nynth Booke of the Seconde Decade, of the Supposed Continent”, in Rycharde [i.e., Richard] Eden, transl., The Decades of the Newe Worlde or West India, […], London: […] [Rycharde Jug for] Guilhelmi Powell, →OCLC, 2nd decade, folio 83, recto

2. obsoleteA decorative image of a parrot on a tapestry, cloth etc.First known use 14th–16th c.
3. datedA vain, gaudy person; someone who is shallow or superficial.First known use 16th c.

   The very quintessence of popinjay vulgarity is reached when nicely is made to do service for well, in this wise: "How do you do?" "Nicely." "How are you?" "Nicely."

   1881, Alfred Ayres [pseudonym; Thomas Embly Osmun], “Nicely”, in The Verbalist

   Synonyms: fop, macaroni, peacock, barbermonger, beau, blade, blood, buck

4. archeryA target to shoot at, typically stuffed with feathers or plumage.First known use 16th c.
5. UKThe green woodpecker, Picus viridis.First known use 19th c.