ortolan
[awr-tl-uh n]
- an Old World bunting, Emberiza hortulana, esteemed as a table delicacy.
- the bobolink.
Show More
Origin of ortolan
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for ortolan
Historical Examples
In the house they must be treated in the same manner as the ortolan.
The Natural History of Cage BirdsJ. M. Bechstein
The Ortolan is not famed for its song, which is, however, soft and sweet.
Eccentricities of the Animal Creation.John Timbs
There is, however, some consolation for the rarity of the Ortolan in England.
Eccentricities of the Animal Creation.John Timbs
The reed-bird—in the West Indies called “ortolan”—is also found in the same markets with the canvas-back.
The Hunters' FeastMayne Reid
Ortolan (endorsed by Labbé) argues (work cited, p. 31) that populus plebsque no more implies separation than senatus populusque.
The Evolution of StatesJ. M. Robertson
ortolan
- Also called: ortolan bunting a brownish Old World bunting, Emberiza hortulana, regarded as a delicacy
- any of various other small birds eaten as delicacies, esp the bobolink
Show More
Word Origin
C17: via French from Latin hortulānus, from hortulus, diminutive of hortus garden
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012