jacamar

noun

jac·​a·​mar ˈzha-kə-ˌmär How to pronounce jacamar (audio)
: any of a family (Galbulidae) of usually iridescent green or bronze insectivorous birds of tropical American forests having a long sharp bill

Illustration of jacamar

Illustration of jacamar

Word History

Etymology

French, modification of Portuguese jacamacira, jacamarici, probably of Tupi-Guarani origin

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jacamar was in 1825

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Cite this Entry

“Jacamar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jacamar. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

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