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

Wood pigeon, pheasant, partridge, grouse, peacocks, hares, wild rabbits, and waterfowl are all dietary staples.

From The Daily Beast

However, there is an exceptional 1918 nude portrait photographed by Imogen Cunningham of her husband, Roy Partridge.

From The Daily Beast

Despite the Partridge Family lifestyle, his home life was settled.

From The Daily Beast

Not a lot of people know you got your start on reality TV with The New Partridge Family.

From The Daily Beast

There is an obscene quantity of spine-buckling necklaces made by “queen of bling” Solange Azagury-Partridge.

From The Daily Beast

He would hunt partridge industriously and conspicuously until men's minds were turned quite away from the subject of bear.

From Project Gutenberg

Another point also should be noted: If Scattergood were hunting bear he gave it out that his game was partridge.

From Project Gutenberg

Probably he would bring partridge, too, for he never neglected by-products.

From Project Gutenberg

They are also rather fond of a fly made from a partridge's breast feather, and body of crimson floss silk.

From Project Gutenberg

They saw the tracks of deer and wolves and partridge, and encountered a few jays, chickadees, and woodpeckers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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