partridge

¹

[ pahr-trij ]

noun

, plural par·tridg·es, (especially collectively) par·tridge.

1. any of several Old World gallinaceous game birds of the subfamily Perdicinae, especially Perdix perdix.
2. Chiefly Northern U.S. the ruffed grouse ( def ).
3. Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. bobwhite.
4. any of several other North American gallinaceous game birds.
5. any of various South and Central American tinamous.

Partridge

²

[ pahr-trij ]

noun

1. Eric (Hon·ey·wood) [huhn, -ee-w, oo, d], 1894–1979, British lexicographer, born in New Zealand.

Partridge

¹

/ ˈpɑːtrɪdʒ /

noun

1. PartridgeEric (Honeywood)18941979MBritishNew ZealandLANGUAGE: lexicographer Eric ( Honeywood ). 1894–1979, British lexicographer, born in New Zealand; author of works on English usage, idiom, slang, and etymology

partridge

²

/ ˈpɑːtrɪdʒ /

noun

1. any of various small Old World gallinaceous game birds of the genera Perdix, Alectoris, etc, esp P. perdix ( common or European partridge ): family Phasianidae (pheasants)
2. any of various other gallinaceous birds, esp the bobwhite and ruffed grouse

Other Words From

• partridge·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of partridge¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English partrich, variant of pertrich, from Middle French pertris, variant of perdris, Old French perd(r)iz, from Latin perdix, from Greek pérdix

Word History and Origins

Origin of partridge¹

C13: from Old French perdriz, from Latin perdix, from Greek

Example Sentences

Some United staff members cruelly labelled the Portuguese 'Alan Partridge' after Steve Coogan's BBC comedy character, who lived in the Linton Travel Tavern.

From BBC

It described the deaths as a “national disgrace” and blamed the majority of incidents on rogue gamekeepers trying to protect stocks of pheasant, partridge and grouse on countryside shooting estates.

From BBC

The organisation said that was because gamekeepers are trying to protect their grouse, pheasants and partridge - and the profits they bring.

From BBC

"Unfortunately we do not have that in the rest of the UK. We need to see wider licensing particularly for grouse moors in England and pheasant and partridge shooting in the lowlands of the UK."

From BBC

"Steel town - it's in our DNA," said former Port Talbot steelworker Steven Partridge.

From BBC

Related Words

• chicken
• duck
• fowl
• geese
• pheasant
• pigeon