warbird

English

Etymology

From war +‎ bird.

Noun

warbird (plural warbirds)

1. (chiefly poetic) A warplane.
2. (chiefly poetic) A crew member of a warplane; airman.
3. (dialect) Synonym of scarlet tanager
4. An aircraft formerly operated by the military, but now owned privately.
5. Any aircraft decorated in military livery for display at airshows etc.
6. (science fiction) A heavily-armed starship.