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

And e'en the merry mavis Will rank as rara avis— The sparrow, sole of all that sailed with Noah, Will learn the casual pot-shot to withstand!

From Project Gutenberg

Merry it is in good greenwood, When the mavis and merle are singing; But merrier were they in Dumfermline gray When all the bells were ringing.

From Project Gutenberg

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 Project Gutenberg

He entertained no gout, no ache he felt, The air was good and temperate, where he dwelt; While mavises and sweet-tongued nightingales Did sing him roundelays and madrigals.

From Project Gutenberg

The mavises sang to them nearly all the year through, sometimes even in snow time.

From Project Gutenberg