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

If a human being were to utter such inharmonious and disconnected tones as those produced by the mavis overhead, it would drive me to distraction.

From On the Heights A Novel by Auerbach, Berthold

The result was that Art played something strongly reminiscent of "Bubbles," whilst Mrs. Stitchley was telling how she had heard the mavis singing, to the tune of "Swanee."

From Mrs. Bindle Some Incidents from the Domestic Life of the Bindles by Jenkins, Hebert

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

An’ blithely the mavis salutes the gay morn As sweetly he sings on the snawy white thorn, While the laverock soars high o’er the lang yellow corn, And the moorcocks, the moorcocks are cheerily crawin’.”

From Kenneth McAlpine A Tale of Mountain, Moorland and Sea by Stables, Gordon

Upon the top of the tall ash, there I sat, with the mavis for my companion on one side, and the blackbird on the other.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 7 by Various