pheasant
[ fez-uh nt ]
/ ˈfɛz ənt /
noun
any of numerous large, usually long-tailed, Old World gallinaceous birds of the family Phasianidae, widely introduced.
any of various other birds that resemble or suggest a pheasant.
Southern U.S.
the ruffed grouse.
Origin of pheasant
1250–1300; Middle English
fesaunt < Anglo-French; Old French
fesan < Latin
phāsiānus < Greek
phāsiānós (
órnis) (bird) of the Phasis, river in the Caucasus
Words nearby pheasant
phaënna,
phaëthon,
phc,
phd,
phe,
pheasant,
pheasant coucal,
pheasant's eye,
pheba,
phebe,
pheidippides
Example sentences from the Web for pheasant
British Dictionary definitions for pheasant
pheasant
/ (ˈfɛzənt) /
noun
any of various long-tailed gallinaceous birds of the family Phasianidae, esp Phasianus colchicus (ring-necked pheasant), having a brightly-coloured plumage in the male: native to Asia but introduced elsewhere
any of various other gallinaceous birds of the family Phasianidae, including the quails and partridges
US and Canadian
any of several other gallinaceous birds, esp the ruffed grouse
Word Origin for pheasant
C13: from Old French
fesan, from Latin
phāsiānus, from Greek
phasianos ornis Phasian bird, named after the River
Phasis, in Colchis