magpie
|mag/pie|
B2
/ˈmæɡˌpaɪ/
collector or chatterer
Etymology
Etymology Information
'magpie' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'magot pie', where 'magot' was a nickname for 'Margaret' and 'pie' referred to the bird.
Historical Evolution
'magot pie' transformed into the modern English word 'magpie'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to the bird, but over time it also came to describe a person who collects things.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a long-tailed bird of the crow family, known for its black and white plumage and noisy chatter.
The magpie perched on the fence, chattering loudly.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a person who collects or hoards things, especially things of little value.
She's a magpie when it comes to collecting old magazines.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/06/06 16:58