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snowbird

[snoh-burd]
See more synonyms for snowbird on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. junco.
  2. snow bunting.
  3. Informal. a person who vacations in or moves to a warmer climate during cold weather.
  4. Slang. cokehead.
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Origin of snowbird

First recorded in 1665–75; snow + bird
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for snowbird

Historical Examples

  • They were soon on their way back to the shore where they had left the Snowbird.

    Dave Porter in the Far North

    Edward Stratemeyer

  • They were soon beside the Snowbird, and the craft was headed for the school.

  • Professor Deusenberry was seized with a determination to own the Snowbird.

  • She would lead the Tempest to Osceolo, and herself ride the Snowbird.

    The Sun Maid

    Evelyn Raymond

  • Snowbird weighs one hundred and twenty pounds and is hard as steel.

    The Voice of the Pack

    Edison Marshall

British Dictionary definitions for snowbird

snowbird

noun
  1. another name for the snow bunting
  2. US slang a person addicted to cocaine, or sometimes heroin
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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

Word Origin and History for snowbird

n.

also snow-bird, from 1680s in reference to various types of birds associated with snow, from snow (n.) + bird (n.1). From 1923 in reference to northern U.S. workers who went to the South in the winter months to work; by 1979 in reference to tourists.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper