bustard
[ buhs-terd ]
noun
any of several large, chiefly terrestrial and ground-running birds of the family Otididae, of the Old World and Australia, related to the cranes.
Origin of bustard
1First recorded in1425–75; late Middle English, apparently blend of Middle French bistarde (Old Italian bistarda ) and Middle French oustarde, both from Latin avis tarda (Pliny) literally, “slow bird,” though tarda may be a non-Latin word, taken erroneously as feminine of tardus
Words Nearby bustard
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for bustard
bustard
/ (ˈbʌstəd) /
noun
any terrestrial bird of the family Otididae, inhabiting open regions of the Old World: order Gruiformes (cranes, rails, etc). They have long strong legs, a heavy body, a long neck, and speckled plumage
Origin of bustard
1C15: from Old French bistarde, influenced by Old French oustarde, both from Latin avis tarda slow bird
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse