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partridge definition

par·tridge (pärtrij)

noun pl. partridges -·tridges or partridge -·tridge

  1. 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.
  2. any of various birds resembling the partridge, as the ruffed grouse

Etymology: 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 definition

Par·tridge (pärtrij)

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

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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