bird's-eye

[ burdz-ahy ]

adjective

1. seen from above, as by a bird in flight; panoramic:

   a bird's-eye view of the city.

2. omitting many details; broad; superficial; general:

   a bird's-eye view of ancient history.

3. having spots or markings resembling the eyes of a bird:

   bird's-eye tweed.

noun

, plural bird's-eyes.

1. any of various plants having small, round, bright-colored flowers, as a primrose, Primula farinosa, or a speedwell, Veronica chamaedrys.
2. Textiles.
   1. a woven, allover pattern on fabrics, characterized chiefly by small diamond shapes resembling the eyes of a bird.
   2. a fabric having this pattern, especially a cotton used for diapers or a linen used for toweling.

bird's-eye

adjective

1. 1. seen or photographed from high above
   2. summarizing the main points of a topic; summary (esp in the phrase bird's-eye view )
2. having markings resembling birds' eyes

noun

1. bird's-eye primrose
   a Eurasian primrose, Primula farinosa , having clusters of purplish flowers with yellow centres
2. bird's-eye speedwell
   the usual US name for germander speedwell
3. any of several other plants having flowers of two contrasting colours
4. a pattern in linen and cotton fabrics, made up of small diamond shapes with a dot in the centre of each
5. a linen or cotton fabric with such a pattern

Word History and Origins

Origin of bird's-eye¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; bird + 's ¹ + eye

Example Sentences

With its exquisite landscapes, birds-eye view and soothing cinematic music, Drone Boning makes sex look like art.

From The Daily Beast

Even the book Twentysomething falls into this trap, despite all its gestures toward a generational birds-eye view.

From The Daily Beast

When the fruit is attacked the disease is sometimes called birds-eye rot.

From Project Gutenberg

So of birds-eye maple for cabinet ware, red elm for carriage hubs, and other varieties applicable to specific uses.

From Project Gutenberg

The stitch used is mainly cross-stitch; but back-stitch, an open kind of satin-stitch, and birds-eye-stitch are also often seen.

From Project Gutenberg

The stitches used for the lettering on samplers are three in number, to wit, cross-stitch, birds-eye-stitch and satin-stitch.

From Project Gutenberg

The birds-eye-stitch, when used for alphabets, varies greatly in degree of fineness.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• across-the-board
• all-encompassing
• broad
• comprehensive
• exhaustive
• extensive
• radical
• thorough
• wholesale