friarbird en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈfɹʌɪəbəːd/ (UK)
Etymology
From friar + bird.
Meanings
-
Any of several species of large Australian honeyeaters in the genus Philemon.
The friar birds drove their beaks into the sweet white flesh of Bacchus Marsh apples.
1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber, published 2003, page 186:From the sandalwood ridge behind him a friarbird repeated its ardent call again and again, warning off the intruders. Ar-coo! Ar-coo! Ar-coo!
2002, Alex Miller, Journey to the Stone Country, Allen & Unwin, published 2003, page 55:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| friarbirds | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| friar bird | alternative | lexicographic |
Deriveds
little friarbird · helmeted friarbird