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starling

1

[stahr-ling]

noun

  1. a chunky, medium-sized European passerine bird, Sturnus vulgaris, of iridescent black plumage with seasonal speckles, that nests in colonies: introduced into North America.

  2. any of various similar Old World birds of the family Sturnidae.



starling

2

[stahr-ling]

noun

  1. a pointed cluster of pilings for protecting a bridge pier from drifting ice, debris, etc.

Starling

1

/ ˈstɑːlɪŋ /

noun

  1. Ernest Henry . 1866–1927, British physiologist, who contributed greatly to the understanding of many bodily functions and with William Bayliss (1860–1924) discovered the hormone secretin (1902)

“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

starling

2

/ ˈstɑːlɪŋ /

noun

  1. any gregarious passerine songbird of the Old World family Sturnidae , esp Sturnus vulgaris , which has a blackish plumage and a short tail

“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

starling

3

/ ˈstɑːlɪŋ /

noun

  1. an arrangement of piles that surround a pier of a bridge to protect it from debris, etc

“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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of starling1

before 1050; Middle English; Old English stærling, equivalent to stær starling (cognate with Old High German stara, Old Norse stari ) + -ling -ling 1; akin to Old English stearn kind of bird, Latin sturnus starling

Origin of starling2

First recorded in 1675–85; origin uncertain
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Word History and Origins

Origin of starling1

Old English stærlinc , from stær starling (related to Icelandic stari ) + -line -ling 1

Origin of starling2

C17: probably changed from staddling , from staddle
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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.

One of the birds was a mourning dove and the other a European starling.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Fewer starlings are visiting UK gardens, according to the conservation charity, the RSPB.

Read more on BBC

Ms Merriman said the video appeared to show the starlings had been successful as the peregrine falcon was not seen to get any of the birds.

Read more on BBC

An audience clapping in rhythm, fireflies flashing in unison, or flocks of starlings moving as one -- synchronisation is a natural phenomenon observed across diverse systems and scales.

Read more on Science Daily

“Urban birds” associated with humans, such as pigeons, European starlings and house sparrows, will likely continue to survive.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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