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Glite Dictionary
🏀 Kansas supporter 🐦 Mythical bird ⚔️ Anti-slavery fighter
Jayhawk

Jayhawk

1 9.1
A colorful imaginary bird that represents the University of Kansas
  • proper noun
  • /ˈdʒeɪhɔk/
  • US
: Jayhawk
  • I like the new Kansas uniforms but would love to see the Jayhawk put back on the helmet.

Examples

  • It's called The University of Kansas Daily Kansan, and the logo has a Jayhawk on it. Get off your high horse.

    Blog text (29)

  • The cartoon of a tiny Jayhawk cowering on a goalpost to escape a giant Wildcat, however, made me wonder which university's newspaper I was reading.

    Blog text (29)

  • The Jayhawk is a beloved symbol of school spirit at the University of Kansas.

  • In the school's mascot parade, the Jayhawk flew proudly above the crowd.

  • Fans wore Jayhawk apparel to show their support for the University of Kansas during the game.

Synonyms

mascot
vsJayhawk
105 3.4

A person, animal or thing that represents a group and entertains people

is a specific mythical bird chosen as a university's official symbol

Surface Forms

Jayhawk main

Morphology

Jayhawk = jay + hawk (semi-transparent) = jay + hawk

The compound clearly evokes two bird names, so learners can infer it's a birdlike mascot, but the Jayhawk is a mythical/symbolic creature rather than a literal species.

Etymology

Jayhawk is a made-up bird name from jay and hawk, and the University of Kansas turned that idea into an imaginary bird as its mascot. That's why the Jayhawk is the school's bird symbol at games and events.