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partridge

The definition of a partridge is a plump game bird.

(noun)

An example of a partridge is the bird featured in "The 12 Days of Christmas."

See partridge in Webster's New World College Dictionary

any of a number of medium-sized, short-tailed gallinaceous birds (family Phasianidae), esp., an Old World species (Perdix perdix) with an orange-brown head, a grayish neck, and a rust-colored tail, now established in N U.S.
any of various birds resembling the partridge, as the ruffed grouse

Origin: ME partriche < OFr perdriz, earlier perdiz < L perdix < Gr, prob. akin toperdesthai, to break wind (< IE base *perd- > fart): from whirring sound made by wings on rising to fly

Partridge, Eric (Honeywood) 1894-1979; Brit. lexicographer, born in New Zealand

See partridge in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. partridge partridge or par·tridg·es

Any of several plump-bodied Old World game birds, especially of the genera Perdix and Alectoris, related to the pheasants and grouse.
Any of several birds, such as the ruffed grouse or the bobwhite, similar or related to the partridge.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English partrich

Origin: , from Old French perdriz

Origin: , alteration of perdis

Origin: , from Latin perdīx

Origin: , from Greek; see perd- in Indo-European roots

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