Dictionary

rare bird en · NOUN

Etymology

Calque of Latin rāra avis, part of a commonly quoted line from Juvenal's Satire VI: rara avis in terris nigroque simillima cygno ("a bird as rare upon the earth as a black swan").

Meanings

1. (figuratively) An unusual or exceptional person or thing.
   • This makes him a rare bird, for most Democrats running for re-election are staying mum or apologising for their votes for reform. 2010 October 14, “Coming back to bite him”, in The Economist:
   • If you are one of the rare birds who doesn't have a FICO score, or if your score is so low that you can't get a credit card, I want you to get a secured credit card. 2004, Suze Orman, The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke, page 95:
   • Finds it more physical, that's an important word / Always seen first then heard / Such a rare bird 1977, “106 Beats That”, in Pink Flag, performed by Wire:
   • An occasional Afghan makes a good bushman. These rare birds, with the help of natives, found that by winding in and out over the soft ground of the valleys they could bring a camel-train where no wheeled transport could go. 1937, Ion L. Idriess, Over the Range, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, published 1947, page 86:
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see rare, bird.

Forms

Relateds

strange bird

Synonyms

rara avis