aratinga
|a-ra-ting-a|
/ˌærəˈtɪŋɡə/
small bright New World parrot
Etymology
'aratinga' originates from Tupi, specifically the word 'aratinga', where 'ara' meant 'parrot' and 'tinga' meant 'bright' or 'small'.
'aratinga' was adopted into Portuguese and later into scientific Latin when the bird genus 'Aratinga' was named in the 19th century; the form then entered English via scientific and avicultural literature.
Initially, it meant 'small/bright parrot' in Tupi, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a New World parrot of the genus Aratinga or a conure formerly placed in that genus'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a medium-sized New World parrot of the genus Aratinga (commonly called conures), native to Central and South America; also used in aviculture to refer to species formerly placed in that genus.
An aratinga perched on the windowsill, chattering and preening its bright plumage.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/02 06:54