ˌmakəˈrōnē, -ni noun
( plural macaronis or macaronies )
Etymology: Italian dialect (Naples) maccarone dumpling, small cake, macaroni
1. : an alimentary paste composed chiefly of semolina dried in the form of slender tubes or small fancy shapes
macaroni shells
elbow macaroni
especially : tubular alimentary paste having a diameter of .11 to .27 inches — distinguished from spaghetti ; compare vermicelli
2.
a. : a member of a class of traveled young Englishmen of the late 18th and early 19th centuries that affected foreign ways
b. : a precious affected young man : exquisite , fop , dandy
spruce macaronis, and pretty to see, tidy and dapper and gallant — J.W.Palmer
c. or macaroni penguin : rock hopper
3. chiefly Australia : something droll or extravagant : foolish chatter : nonsense
4. slang : italian