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pheasant

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(fez′ənt)

any of a number of large gallinaceous birds (family Phasianidae), usually with a long, sweeping tail and brilliant feathers
☆ any of a number of birds resembling the pheasant, as the ruffed grouse

Origin: ME fesant < Anglo-Fr < OFr faisan < L phasianus < Gr phasianos, after Phasis, river of Colchis: the birds are said to have been numerous near its mouth

See pheasant in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. pheas·ants or pheasant

Any of various Old World birds of the family Phasianidae, especially the ring-necked pheasant introduced in North America, characteristically having long tails and, in the males of many species, brilliantly colored plumage.
Any of several other birds that resemble the pheasant, such as the partridge.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English fesaunt

Origin: , from Old French fesan

Origin: , from Latin phāsiānus

Origin: , from Greek phāsiānos (ornīs), (bird) of the Phasis River, pheasant

Origin: , from Phāsis, the ancient name for the Rioni River in the Republic of Georgia

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