Bird
n.
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Orig., a chicken; the young of a fowl; a young eaglet; a nestling; and hence, a feathered flying animal (see 2).
That ungentle gull, the cuckoo's bird.
The brydds [birds] of the aier have nestes.
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A warm-blooded, feathered vertebrate provided with wings. See Aves. (Zool.)
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Specifically, among sportsmen, a game bird.
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Fig.: A girl; a maiden.
And by my word! the bonny bird
In danger shall not tarry.
Phrases & Compounds
- Arabian bird
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the phenix.
- Bird of Jove
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the eagle.
- Bird of Juno
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the peacock.
- Bird louse
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a wingless insect of the group Mallophaga, of which the genera and species are very numerous and mostly parasitic upon birds.
- Bird mite
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a small mite (genera Dermanyssus, Dermaleichus and allies) parasitic upon birds. The species are numerous.
- Bird of passage
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a migratory bird.
- Bird spider
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a very large South American spider (Mygale avicularia). It is said sometimes to capture and kill small birds.
- Bird tick
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a dipterous insect parasitic upon birds (genus Ornithomyia, and allies), usually winged.
Bird
v. i.
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To catch or shoot birds.
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Hence: To seek for game or plunder; to thieve. [R.]
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to watch birds, especially in their natural habitats, for enjoyment; to birdwatch.