ˈpäpə̇nˌjā noun
Etymology: Middle English papejay, papengay, from Middle French papegai, papejai, from Arabic babghā'
1. obsolete : parrot
2. heraldry : a parrot or parakeet usually depicted in green with red legs and beak
3. : one thought to resemble a parrot or parakeet (as because of excessive ostentation in clothes, senseless volubility, or vain posturing)
had been stricken too sorely by the bitter struggle to be caught by military popinjays — V.L.Parrington
a curse on the tanner's grandson and his French popinjays — Charles Kingsley
4. dialect England : green woodpecker