n. & v.
--n.
1. any of various mainly tropical birds of the order Psittaciformes, with a short hooked bill, often having vivid plumage and able to mimic the human voice.
2 a person who mechanically repeats the words or actions of another.
--v.tr. (parroted, parroting) repeat mechanically.
Phrases and idioms:
parrot-fashion (learning or repeating) mechanically without understanding. parrot-fish any fish of the genus Scarus, with a mouth like a parrot's bill and forming a protective mucous cocoon against predators.
Etymology: prob. f. obs. or dial. F perrot parrot, dimin. of Pierre Peter: cf. PARAKEET