wheatear

[ hweet-eer, weet- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of several small, chiefly Old World thrushes of the genus Oenanthe, having a distinctive white rump, especially O. oenanthe, of Eurasia and North America.

wheatear

/ ˈwiːtˌɪə /

any small northern songbird of the genus Oenanthe, esp O. oenanthe, a species having a pale grey back, black wings and tail, white rump, and pale brown underparts: subfamily Turdinae (thrushes)

1585–95; probably back formation from wheatears, for *whiteers white rump. See white, arse

C16: back formation from wheatears (wrongly taken as plural), probably from white + arse ; compare Dutch witstaart, French culblanc white tail

One would not expect to find a wheatear in a wood, or a wren in a reed-bed.

While talking, a wheatear flew past, and alighted near the path—a place they frequent.

They lie crushed together at the base, and on the point of this jagged ridge a wheatear perches.

There is not a quail, not a blackbird, not the smallest rabbit nor even the tiniest wheatear.

The sycamore by the ruined chancel pattered in the breeze, and the wheatear's last notes came from its top-most bough.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse