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Webster 1913 Edition
Nightingale
Night′in-gale
,Noun.
1.
(Zool.)
A small, plain, brown and gray European song bird (
Luscinia megarhynchos
syn. Luscinia luscinia
). It sings at night, and is celebrated for the sweetness of its song. 2.
(Zool.)
A larger species (
Lucinia philomela
), of Eastern Europe, having similar habits; the thrush nightingale. The name is also applied to other allied species. Webster 1828 Edition
Nightingale
NIGHTINGALE
,Noun.
1.
A small bird that sings at night, of the genus Motacilla; Philomela or Philomel.2.
A word of endearment.