Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Partridge
Par′tridge
(pär′trĭj)
, Noun.
[OE.
partriche
, pertriche
, OF. pertris
, perdriz
, F. perdrix
, L. perdix
, -icis
, fr. Gr. πέρδιξ
.] (Zool.)
1.
Any one of numerous species of small gallinaceous birds of the genus
Perdix
and several related genera of the family Perdicidæ
, of the Old World. The partridge is noted as a game bird. Full many a fat
partrich
had he in mew. Chaucer.
☞ The common European, or gray, partridge (
Perdix cinerea
) and the red-legged partridge (Caccabis rubra
) of Southern Europe and Asia are well-known species. 2.
Any one of several species of quail-like birds belonging to
Colinus
, and allied genera. [U.S.]
☞ Among them are the bobwhite (
Colinus Virginianus
) of the Eastern States; the plumed, or mountain, partridge (Oreortyx pictus
) of California; the Massena partridge (Cyrtonyx Montezumæ
); and the California partridge (Callipepla Californica
). 3.
The ruffed grouse (
Bonasa umbellus
). [New Eng.]
Bamboo partridge
(Zool.)
, a spurred partridge of the genus
– Bambusicola
. Several species are found in China and the East Indies. Night partridge
(Zool.)
, the woodcock.
[Local, U.S.]
– Painted partridge
(Zool.)
, a francolin of South Africa (
– Francolinus pictus
). Partridge berry
. (Bot.)
(a)
The scarlet berry of a trailing american plant (
. Mitchella repens
) of the order Rubiaceæ
, having roundish evergreen leaves, and white fragrant flowers sometimes tinged with purple, growing in pairs with the ovaries united, and producing the berries which remain over winter; also, the plant itself(b)
The fruit of the creeping wintergreen (
– Gaultheria procumbens
); also, the plant itself. Partridge dove
(Zool.)
Same as
– Mountain witch
, under Mountain
. Partridge pea
(Bot.)
, a yellow-flowered leguminous herb (
– Cassia Chamæcrista
), common in sandy fields in the Eastern United States. Partridge shell
(Zool.)
, a large marine univalve shell (
– Dolium perdix
), having colors variegated like those of the partridge. Partridge wood
(a)
A variegated wood, much esteemed for cabinetwork. It is obtained from tropical America, and one source of it is said to be the leguminous tree
Andira inermis
. Called also pheasant wood
. (b)
A name sometimes given to the dark-colored and striated wood of some kind of palm, which is used for walking sticks and umbrella handles.
– Sea partridge
(Zool.)
, an Asiatic sand partridge (
– Ammoperdix Bonhami
); – so called from its note. Snow partridge
(Zool.)
, a large spurred partridge (
– Lerwa nivicola
) which inhabits the high mountains of Asia; called also jermoonal
. Spruce partridge
. See under
– Spruce
. Wood partridge
, or
Hill partridge
(Zool.)
, any small Asiatic partridge of the genus
Arboricola
.Webster 1828 Edition
Partridge
P`ARTRIDGE
,Noun.
The term partridge is applied in Pennsylvania to the bird called quail in New England, a peculiar species of Perdix; in New England it is applied to the ruffed grous, a species of Tetrao.
Definition 2025
partridge
partridge
English
Perdix perdix
Noun
partridge (plural partridges or partridge)
- Any bird of a number of genera in the family Phasianidae, notably in the genera Perdix and Alectoris.
- (obsolete, military) A type cannon charge composed of several missiles fired all together, similar to langrage or case-shot. Also a large cannon that shoots stones.
Derived terms
Terms derived from partridge
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Translations
any bird of the genera Perdix or Alectoris
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References
- Oxford English Dictionary, "partridge, n." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 2005.