| 释义 |
mag·pie
I. \ˈmagˌpī, ˈmaig-\ noun
Etymology: Mag (nickname for Margaret) + pie (magpie)
1. : any of numerous birds of Pica and several other genera of the family Corvidae that are closely related to the jays but have a long graduated tail and usually black-and-white plumage: as
a. : the common European magpie (Pica pica)
b. : a closely similar American magpie (P. pica hudsonia) of the Rocky Mountain region
c. : yellow-billed magpie
2. : any of several birds of the family Cracticidae having black-and-white plumage suggesting the true magpies: as
a. : piping crow
b. : a related bird (Gymnorhina hypoleuca) that occurs in Tasmania and southeastern Australia and has been introduced into New Zealand
3. : one who chatters endlessly or foolishly
4. : the black-and-white ceremonial dress of an Anglican bishop
II. adjective
1. : pied like a magpie
2.
a. : having characteristics or traits resembling those attributed to the magpie; especially : addicted to indiscriminate collecting
< have on occasions been thankful for her magpie ways — L.A.G.Strong >
b. : miscellaneous
< magpie collection of bric-a-brac — Louis Bromfield >
< his eye roved uneasily over the magpie litter of his room — C.D.Lewis >
III. transitive verb
(magpied ; magpied ; magpieing ; magpies)
: to garner up like a magpie : pilfer and hoard
< those memories … have been magpied together from glittering little trivia — Basil Marriott >
< admits magpieing ideas from others and using them later as his own >
IV. noun
: one who collects indiscriminately |