oriole

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun mostly tropical songbird; the male is usually bright orange and black
  2. noun American songbird; male is black and orange or yellow

Etymology

A borrowing from Middle French oriol, from Old French oriol, from Latin aureolus, diminutive of aureus (“golden”). Doublet of aureole. First use appears c. 1776 in the writings of Thomas Pennant.

In classic literature

Synonyms

Old World oriole

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