oscine Hear it!

oscine definition

os·cine (äs′in, -īn′)

adjective

designating or of the major suborder (Oscines) of passerine birds characterized by a highly developed syrinx, including most common perching birds

Etymology: < ModL Oscines < L, pl. of oscen, bird whose notes were used in divining < obs-, var. of ob- (see ob-) + canere, to crow, sing (see chant, )

noun

a bird of this suborder

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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