Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Robin?

\Rob"in\, n. [Properly a pet name for Robert, originally meaning, famebright; F., fron OHG. Roudperht; ruod (in comp.; akin to AS. hr?? glory, fame, Goth. hr?peigs victorius) + beraht bright. See {Bright}, {Hob} a clown.] (Zo["o]l.) (a) A small European singing bird ({Erythacus rubecula}), having a reddish breast; -- called also {robin redbreast}, {robinet}, and {ruddock}. (b) An American singing bird ({Merula migratoria}), having the breast chestnut, or dull red. The upper parts are olive-gray, the head and tail blackish. Called also {robin redbreast}, and {migratory thrush}. (c) Any one of several species of Australian warblers of the genera {Petroica}, {Melanadrays}, and allied genera; as, the scarlet-breasted robin ({Petroica mullticolor}). (d) Any one of several Asiatic birds; as, the Indian robins. See {Indian robin}, below. {Beach robin} (Zo["o]l.), the robin snipe, or knot. See {Knot}. {Blue-throated robin}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Bluethroat}. {Canada robin} (Zo["o]l.), the cedar bird. {Golden robin} (Zo["o]l.), the Baltimore oriole. {Ground robin} (Zo["o]l.), the chewink. {Indian robin} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of Asiatic saxoline birds of the genera {Thamnobia} and {Pratincola}. They are mostly black, usually with some white on the wings. {Magrie robin} (Zo["o]l.), an Asiatic singing bird ({Corsycus saularis}), having the back, head, neck, and breast black glossed with blue, the wings black, and the belly white. {Ragged robin}. (Bot.) See under {Ragged}. {Robin accentor} (Zo["o]l.), a small Asiatic singing bird ({Accentor rubeculoides}), somewhat resembling the European robin. {Robin redbreast}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The European robin. (b) The American robin. (c) The American bluebird. {Robin snipe}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The red-breasted snipe, or dowitcher. (b) The red-breasted sandpiper, or knot. {Robin's plantain}. (Bot.) See under {Plantain}. {Sea robin}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) Any one of several species of American gurnards of the genus {Prionotus}. They are excellent food fishes. Called also {wingfish}. The name is also applied to a European gurnard. (b) The red-breasted merganser, or sheldrake. [Local, U.S.] {Water robin} (Zo["o]l.), a redstart ({Ruticulla fuliginosa}), native of India.