Pheasant


[fez-uh nt] /ˈfɛz ənt/

noun
1.
any of numerous large, usually long-tailed, Old World gallinaceous birds of the family Phasianidae, widely introduced.
2.
any of various other birds that resemble or suggest a pheasant.
3.
Southern U.S. the ruffed grouse.
/ˈfɛzənt/
noun
1.
any of various long-tailed gallinaceous birds of the family Phasianidae, esp Phasianus colchicus (ring-necked pheasant), having a brightly-coloured plumage in the male: native to Asia but introduced elsewhere
2.
any of various other gallinaceous birds of the family Phasianidae, including the quails and partridges
3.
(US & Canadian) any of several other gallinaceous birds, esp the ruffed grouse
n.

late 13c. (mid-12c. as a surname), from Anglo-French fesaunt, Old French faisan (13c.) “pheasant,” from Latin phasianus, from Greek phasianos “a pheasant,” literally “Phasian bird,” from Phasis, river flowing into the Black Sea in Colchis, where the birds were said to have been numerous. The ph- was restored in English late 14c. (see ph). The excrescent -t is due to confusion with -ant suffix of nouns formed from present participle of verbs in first Latin conjugation (peasant, tyrant, etc.).

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