bevy
[ bev-ee ]
/ ˈbɛv i /
noun, plural bev·ies.
a group of birds, as larks or quail, or animals, as roebuck, in close association.
a large group or collection: a bevy of boisterous sailors.
RELATED WORDS
gathering, assembly, crowd, cluster, flight, company, covey, collection, crew, band, troupe, party, flock, bunch, group, pack
Nearby words
- beverly hills,
- bevin,
- bevin boy,
- bevin, ernest,
- bevvy,
- bew,
- bewail,
- beware,
- beware of greeks bearing gifts,
- beweep
Origin of bevy
1400–50; late Middle English bevey, of obscure origin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for bevy
bevy
/ (ˈbɛvɪ) /
noun plural bevies
a flock of quails
a group, esp of girls
a group of roedeer
Word Origin for bevy
C15: of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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bevy
early 15c., collective noun of quails and ladies, from Anglo-French bevée, of unknown origin. One supposed definition of the word is "a drinking bout," but this is perhaps a misprint of bever, from Old French beivre (see beverage). Still, it's possible that the original sense could be a company of birds gathered at a puddle or pool for drinking or bathing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper