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pheasant definition

pheas·ant (fez′ənt)

noun pl. pheasants -·ants or pheasant -·ant

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

Etymology: 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

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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