red-bird
/ˈrɛdbəːd/North American
noun
1Any of various American songbirds with red plumage; especially those of the families Thraupidae and Cardinalidae such as the summer tanager (Piranga rubra), scarlet tanager (P. olivacea), and common cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).
- summer, Virginia, winter red-bird, etc.: see the first element..
2 Slang. A capsule of the drug secobarbital.
- A trademark for this drug is Seconal..
Origin
Mid 17th century. From red + bird.