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ma·caw

(mə-kô)

Any of various parrots of several genera found in Mexico and South and Central America, including the largest parrots and characterized by a long tail, curved powerful bill, and usually brilliant plumage.

[Portuguese macaú, from macaúba, kind of palm tree, from Tupí macahuba, palm tree : maca, palm + ybá, tree.]

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macaw

scarlet macaw

Ara macao

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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