oropendola

[ awr-uh-pen-dl-uh, ohr-uh- ]

noun

1. any of several birds of the genus Gymnostinops, related to crows and feeding primarily on fruit and nectar, noted especially for their hanging nests.

Word History and Origins

Origin of oropendola¹

1895–1900; < Spanish oropéndola the golden oriole, equivalent to oro gold (< Latin aurum ) + péndola, by-form of péñola feather, quill < Latin pinnula, diminutive of pinna feather, wing; pinna, -ule