rara avis
Americannoun
plural
rarae avesnoun
Etymology
Origin of rara avis
First recorded in 1600–10, rara avis is from Latin rāra avis “rare bird”
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.
Murray was a rara avis in a country that makes the one-of-a-kind either hero or pariah — he became a little of both.
From New York Times
"I have very little respect for politicians of any persuasion, but Margaret is that rara avis, a dedicated, honest and committed representative of the people of Hong Kong," Sarony wrote.
From Reuters
Out of the box, “Sesame Street” was a rara avis: a mass-market hit on public TV, a kids’ show with sophistication and a wild countercultural energy.
From New York Times
Wickersham, whose full head of silver hair, mustache, and chiseled good looks made him resemble a misplaced Marlboro man, was a rara avis even by Sing Sing standards.
From Literature
Which is all to say that even if you haven’t heard of her, she is that rara avis of Hollywood: a working actor.
From Washington Post
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
