macaw
UK[məˈkɔː]US[məˈkɔː]
n
A large, brightly colored tropical parrot with a long tail, native to Central and South America.
Etymology
The word 'macaw' entered English in the 17th century from Portuguese 'macau'. The Portuguese term is believed to have originated from a word in the Tupi language of Brazil, 'macavuana', which referred to a type of palm tree. The connection likely stems from the bird's diet of palm nuts or its habitat among palm trees. This journey from a native South American language through Portuguese explorers into global English exemplifies how new words are coined to describe newly encountered flora and fauna.
Analysis
This word is a loanword adopted as a single, unanalyzable unit in English.
Examples
A brilliant blue and gold macaw perched on a branch, preening its feathers.
The squawk of the macaw echoed through the rainforest canopy.
She was fascinated by the macaw's intelligence and ability to mimic human speech.