parakeet
UK[ˈpærəkiːt]US[ˈperəkiːt]
n
A small, slender parrot, typically with a long tail and brightly colored feathers.
Etymology
The word 'parakeet' has a colorful and somewhat uncertain etymological journey. It entered English in the 16th century from the Middle French 'perroquet', meaning parrot. The French term itself is thought to be a diminutive form, possibly from the Italian 'parrocchetto' or the Spanish 'periquito', which may derive from the name 'Pedro' (Peter) as a familiar name for the bird. An alternative theory suggests an onomatopoeic origin, imitating the bird's chattering call. Regardless of its precise source, the word traveled through European languages as a unified term for a specific type of small, long-tailed parrot, losing any transparent morphemic structure in the process.
Analysis
This word is a loanword that entered English as a single, unanalyzable unit from French. Its ultimate origin is unclear but likely involves a blend of influences from Romance languages and onomatopoeia.
Examples
The children were delighted by the bright green parakeet in the pet store.
A flock of wild parakeets has made its home in the city's park.
She taught her parakeet to whistle a simple tune.