I. ˈmag-ˌpī noun
Etymology: Mag (nickname for Margaret ) + pie (I)
Date: 1598
1. : any of various birds (especially Pica pica ) related to the jays but having a long graduated tail and black-and-white or brightly colored plumage
2. : a person who chatters noisily
3. : one who collects indiscriminately
[
magpie 1
]
II. adjective
Date: 1796
1. : collected indiscriminately : miscellaneous
magpie compilations of unrelated tidbits — Helen R. Cross
2. : given to indiscriminate collecting : acquisitive
what possible magpie instinct had impelled me to retain them — S. J. Perelman