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cockatoo

Pronunciation: /kɒkəˈtuː/

Translate cockatoo | into French | into German | into Italian

Definition of cockatoo

noun

1a parrot with an erectile crest, found in Australia, eastern Indonesia, and neighbouring islands.
- Family Cacatuidae (or Psittacidae): several genera and numerous species

2Australian/NZ informal a small-scale farmer.

3Australian/NZ informal a lookout posted by those engaged in illegal activity: he is alleged to act as cockatoo during these meetings

Origin:

mid 17th century: from Dutch kaketoe, from Malay kakatua, the spelling influenced by cock¹. cockatoo (sense 2), cockatoo (sense 3) date from the 19th century