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

Throstle, thros′l, n. the song-thrush or mavis: a machine for twisting and winding fibres from roves, consisting of a set of drawing-rollers with bobbins and fliers—also Water-frame.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

The mavis is imitative of the songs of other birds.

From Aileen Aroon, A Memoir With other Tales of Faithful Friends and Favourites by Stables, Gordon

I know of a linnet's nest, says one—and I of a robin's, says another—I of shilfa's, says a third; but a fourth party comes in with his mavis, and all competition is at an end.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 4 by Various

The mavis will sing in the thorn-tree, dewy with fragrance, where Motherwell now stands ... or Anderston.

From Victory out of Ruin by Maclean, Norman

Spring flowers peeping through the brown earth, merle and mavis making music in the spruce and fir thickets, and louder than all the clear-throated chaffinch.

From Born to Wander A Boy's Book of Nomadic Adventures by Stables, Gordon