robin

Definition

Any of various passerine birds (about 100 species) of the families Muscicapidae, Turdidae and Petroicidae (formerly Eopsaltriidae), typically with a red breast.

Etymology

Short for robin redbreast. Also from Middle English robynet, robynett (“robin (bird)”), from the Middle English name Robynett, a diminutive of the Middle English name Robyn (“Robin”). ] ]

Example Sentences

• "As they turned into Hertford Street they startled a robin from the poet's head on a barren fountain, and he fled away with a cameo note."