canary seed

American  

noun

1. birdseed.

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canary seed British  

noun

1. another name for birdseed

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Etymology

Origin of canary seed

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

He went shopping for canary seed and Polly, loose in the pet shop, settled on his shoulder and said, 'Pretty boy, I love you so.'

From Time Magazine Archive

Besides these, buckwheat, barley, and canary seed may sometimes be given; but the first-named constitute a good variety and should be used as a constant feed.

From Profitable Squab Breeding by Dare, Carl

Leo gave them some canary seed, of which he carried a supply in his pocket, in order to induce the pets to exhibit themselves when desired.

From Make or Break or, The Rich Man's Daughter by Optic, Oliver

The love-birds feed almost entirely on millet or canary seed, and they like a sod of grass in their cage.

From What Shall We Do Now?: Five Hundred Games and Pastimes by Fisher, Dorothy Canfield

In some parts of Sicily the gossips of St. John present each other with plates of sprouting corn, lentils, and canary seed, which have been planted forty days before the festival.

From The Golden Bough by Frazer, James George, Sir