| 释义 |
Definition of canary bird in English: canary birdnoun kəˈnɛːri bəːd 1An Old World finch native to the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira, widely popular as a cage and aviary bird for its melodious song, Serinus canaria (family Fringillidae). 2Slang (originally cant). A prisoner; (also) †a habitual offender, a criminal, a rogue (obsolete). Compare "canary", "jail-bird". Now rare. 3Specifically Australian slang. A transported convict; = "canary". Now historical. 4The canary creeper, Tropaeolum peregrinum. Usually more fully as "canary bird flower", "canary bird plant", "canary bird vine".
Origin Mid 16th century; earliest use found in William Turner (d. 1568), naturalist and religious controversialist. From the name of the Canary Islands + bird. Definition of canary bird in US English: canary birdnounkəˈnɛːri bəːd 1An Old World finch native to the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira, widely popular as a cage and aviary bird for its melodious song, Serinus canaria (family Fringillidae). 2Slang (originally cant). A prisoner; (also) †a habitual offender, a criminal, a rogue (obsolete). Compare "canary", "jail-bird". Now rare. 3Specifically Australian slang. A transported convict; = "canary". Now historical. 4The canary creeper, Tropaeolum peregrinum. Usually more fully as "canary bird flower", "canary bird plant", "canary bird vine".
Origin Mid 16th century; earliest use found in William Turner (d. 1568), naturalist and religious controversialist. From the name of the Canary Islands + bird. |