bird-of-paradise

[ burd-uh v-par-uh-dahys, -dahyz ]
/ ˈbɜrd əvˈpær əˌdaɪs, -ˌdaɪz /

noun, plural birds-of-paradise.

Also called bird-of-paradise flower. any of several plants of the genus Strelitzia, native to southern Africa, especially S. reginae, having a large, showy orange and blue inflorescence.
a small tree or shrub, Caesalpinia (Poinciana) gilliesii, native to South America, having featherlike leaves and showy yellow flowers with red stamens.

Origin of bird-of-paradise

First recorded in 1880–85

Words nearby bird-of-paradise

bird-breeder's lung, bird-catcher tree, bird-dog, bird-footed dinosaur, bird-nesting, bird-of-paradise, bird-voiced tree frog, bird-watch, bird-watcher, birdbath, birdbrain

Definition for bird-of-paradise (2 of 3)

bird of paradise

noun

any of several passerine birds of the family Paradisaeidae, of New Guinea and adjacent islands, the males of which have ornate, colorful plumage.

Origin of bird of paradise

First recorded in 1600–10

Definition for bird-of-paradise (3 of 3)

Bird of Paradise

noun Astronomy.

the constellation Apus.

Origin of Bird of Paradise

First recorded in 1650–60

Example sentences from the Web for bird-of-paradise

British Dictionary definitions for bird-of-paradise

bird of paradise

noun

any songbird of the family Paradisaeidae of New Guinea and neighbouring regions, the males of which have brilliantly coloured ornate plumage
bird-of-paradise flower any of various banana-like plants of the genus Strelitzia, esp S. reginae, that are native to tropical southern Africa and South America and have purple bracts and large orange or yellow flowers resembling birds' heads: family Strelitziaceae