Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Wheatear

//ˈʍiːtɪəɹ// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Any of various passerine birds of the genus Oenanthe that feed on insects,

    "What abundance of Hens, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys, Pigeons, and Larks? [...] Maychit, Stint, Sea-Plover, Pewits, Redshanks, Rayles, and Wheat-ears, Herrons, Cranes, Bitterns, Bustards, Puffins, God-wits,"

  2. 2
    An ear of wheat.
  3. 3
    small songbird of northern America and Eurasia having a distinctive white rump wordnet
  4. 4
    Any of various passerine birds of the genus Oenanthe that feed on insects,; especially, the northern wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
  5. 5
    A decorative pattern resembling an ear of wheat.
Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    An anomalous form of carnation, producing small green ears instead of flowers.

Etymology

Etymology 1

Uncertain. Probably a back-formation from Middle English whit ers (“white arse”), after the prominent white rump of many species. Compare dialect forms white rump, white-tail. Possibly a compound of wheat + ear or white + ear. Attested since the seventeenth century as wheat-ears or wheatgear.

Etymology 2

From Middle English whete-ere, equivalent to wheat + ear.

See also for "wheatear"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: wheatear