mockingbird

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search
See also: mocking bird

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From mocking +‎ bird, from the ability of the birds to mimic sounds and, in some cases, hum as a wake up call.

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

mockingbird (plural mockingbirds)

  1. A long-tailed American songbird of the Mimidae family, noted for its ability to mimic calls of other birds.
    Synonym: mocker
  2. (archaic) Synonym of tui (a species of honeyeater, Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae, a bird which is endemic to New Zealand)

Usage notes[edit]

Translations[edit]

Further reading[edit]