/terr"kee/ , n. , pl. turkeys , ( esp. collectively ) turkey .
1. a large, gallinaceous bird of the family Meleagrididae, esp. Meleagris gallopavo, of America, that typically has green, reddish-brown, and yellowish-brown plumage of a metallic luster and that is domesticated in most parts of the world. See illus. in next column.
2. the flesh of this bird, used as food.
3. See ocellated turkey .
4. Slang.
a. a person or thing of little appeal; dud; loser.
b. a naive, stupid, or inept person.
c. a poor and unsuccessful theatrical production; flop.
5. Bowling. three strikes in succession.
6. talk turkey , Informal. to talk frankly; mean business.
[ 1545-55; short for Turkey cock and Turkey hen cock and hen of Turkey, first applied to guinea fowl, later confused with the American bird ]