mavis

¹

[mey-vis]

noun

British (chiefly Literary).

1. a song thrush.

Mavis

²

[mey-vis]

noun

1. a female given name.

mavis

/ ˈmeɪvɪs /

noun

1. a popular name for the song thrush

Word History and Origins

Origin of mavis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of mavis¹

C14: from Old French mauvis thrush; origin obscure