pheasant

[fez-uhnt]

noun

1. any of numerous large, usually long-tailed, Old World gallinaceous birds of the family Phasianidae, widely introduced.

2. any of various other birds that resemble or suggest a pheasant.

3. Southern U.S.,  the ruffed grouse.

pheasant

/ ˈfɛzənt /

noun

1. any of various long-tailed gallinaceous birds of the family Phasianidae, esp Phasianus colchicus ( ring-necked pheasant ), having a brightly-coloured plumage in the male: native to Asia but introduced elsewhere

2. any of various other gallinaceous birds of the family Phasianidae, including the quails and partridges

3. any of several other gallinaceous birds, esp the ruffed grouse

Word History and Origins

Origin of pheasant¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English fesaunt, from Anglo-French; Old French fesan, from Latin phāsiānus, from Greek phāsiānós (órnis) “(bird) of the Phasis,” a river in the Caucasus

Word History and Origins

Origin of pheasant¹

C13: from Old French fesan, from Latin phāsiānus, from Greek phasianos ornis Phasian bird, named after the River Phasis, in Colchis

Example Sentences

Schwarzman, who usually arrives by helicopter, also bought the farm next door to host pheasant and partridge shoots.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mr Hughes said it was known that pheasants presented a risk of infecting wild birds, "some of which are threatened at a national level".

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If you preferred food with legs, there was roast pheasant and, of course, steak.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mrs Deamer said when Snowy "landed" at their home near Luton, it jumped next door, but when they started putting out food for the pheasant, it came back.

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And Ernest he was, writing in the morning, hiking the lush seaside overlooks in the afternoon, maybe bagging a pheasant or two with “Two-Gun” Cohen, and entertaining in the evenings at the bar.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• chicken 
• duck 
• fowl 
• geese 
• pigeon