mavis

¹ American  

[mey-vis] / ˈmeɪ vɪs /

noun

British (chiefly Literary).

1. a song thrush.

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Mavis ² American  

[mey-vis] / ˈmeɪ vɪs /

noun

1. a female given name.

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mavis British  

/ ˈmeɪvɪs /

noun

1. a popular name for the song thrush

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Etymology

Origin of mavis

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English mavys, from Anglo-French mauviz, probably equivalent to ma(u)ve “seagull” (from Old English mæw a small gull; mew ² ) + -iz of unclear origin

Example Sentences

“Gloomy winter’s noo awa, Soft the westlin’ breezes blow, Amang the birks o’ Stanley Shaw The mavis sings hoo cheery O?”

From Born to Wander A Boy's Book of Nomadic Adventures by Stables, Gordon

The boy was clad in robes of grene, Sweete as the infant spring; And like the mavis on the bush, He gart the vallies ring.

From English and Scottish Ballads, Volume II (of 8) by Various

Whether in Scotland or England, the mavis, or thrush, is one of the especial favourites of the pastoral poet and lyrist.

From Aileen Aroon, A Memoir With other Tales of Faithful Friends and Favourites by Stables, Gordon

Upon the top of the tall ash, there I sat, with the mavis for my companion on one side, and the blackbird on the other.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 7 by Various

From this point the eye glances up through the wooded glen, echoing with the songs of the mavis and the linnet, and over to a mineral well, sheltered by copsewood and pines.

From The Genius of Scotland or Sketches of Scottish Scenery, Literature and Religion by Turnbull, Robert