mavis
noun
a song thrush.
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mavis
1 American
[may-vis]
/ ˈmeɪ vɪs /
noun
British (chiefly Literary).
Mavis
2
American
[may-vis]
/ ˈmeɪ vɪs /
noun
mavis
British
/ ˈmeɪvɪs /
noun
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; see mew 2) + -iz of unclear origin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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
“Gloomy winter’s noo awa, Soft the westlin’ breezes blow, Amang the birks o’ Stanley Shaw The mavis sings hoo cheery O?”
From Born to Wander A Boy's Book of Nomadic Adventures by Gordon Stables
The boy was clad in robes of grene, Sweete as the infant spring; And like the mavis on the bush, He gart the vallies ring.
From English and Scottish Ballads, Volume II (of 8) by Various
The mavis or speckled thrush is not only loud and bold in his tones, but he is what you might term a singer of humorous songs.
From Aileen Aroon, A Memoir With other Tales of Faithful Friends and Favourites by Gordon Stables
I can sing, my boy, like a mavis, like a bird-of-paradise.
From The Span o' Life A Tale of Louisbourg & Quebec by Jean Newton McIlwraith
Savings from a more efficient supply chain enabled Mavis to undercut rivals on price, the brothers found.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
The brothers behind suburban New York tire retailer Mavis spent decades gobbling up smaller rivals culminating in their biggest deal, the acquisition of the best-known name in repairs: Midas.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
Mavis weighed an IPO earlier this year, but has put the plans on hold for now, according to people familiar with the plans.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
“One day we were just acquired,” Scott Frankland, owner of a Bronx Midas franchise, said of the Mavis acquisition, completed last June.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
Which means there is absolutely a new group chat, and the number one topic of conversation is Mavis Callahan, daughter of a wanted criminal.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
