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jailbird

[ jeyl-burd ]

/ ˈdʒeɪlˌbɜrd /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR jailbird ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who is or has been confined in jail; convict or ex-convict.

Origin of jailbird

First recorded in 1595–1605; jail + bird

Words nearby jailbird

jai hind, jail, jail delivery, jail fever, jailbait, jailbird, jailbreak, jailer, jailhouse, jailhouse lawyer, jain

Example sentences from the Web for jailbird

As though their presence had been a command for silence, a sudden hush fell over the Jailbird.

Judith of Blue Lake Ranch |Jackson Gregory
Poor devil, hes got all the marks of the jailbird about him.

Droll Stories of Isthmian Life |Evelyn Saxton
In front of the Jailbird the only light came from within and made scant war on the lurking darkness without.

Judith of Blue Lake Ranch |Jackson Gregory
The former teacher and jailbird wore the same dictatorial look as of yore.

The Rover Boys Down East |Arthur M. Winfield

I guess ye'll not be findin' anybody that will be wantin' a jailbird.

Just Patty |Jean Webster

British Dictionary definitions for jailbird

jailbird

gaolbird

/ (ˈdʒeɪlˌbɜːd) /

noun

a person who is or has been confined to jail, esp repeatedly; convict