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Webster 1913 Edition


Pheasant

Pheas′ant

(fĕz′ant)
,
Noun.
[OE.
fesant
,
fesaunt
, OF.
faisant
,
faisan
, F.
faisan
, L.
phasianus
, Gr.
φασιανόσ
(sc.
ὄρνις
) the Phasian bird, pheasant, fr.
Φάσισ
a river in Colchis or Pontus.]
1.
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of large gallinaceous birds of the genus
Phasianus
, and many other genera of the family
Phasianidæ
, found chiefly in Asia.
☞ The
common pheasant
, or
English pheasant
(
Phasianus Colchicus
) is now found over most of temperate Europe, but was introduced from Asia. The
ring-necked pheasant
(
Phasianus torquatus
) and the
green pheasant
(
Phasianus versicolor
) have been introduced into Oregon. The
golden pheasant
(
Thaumalea picta
) is one of the most beautiful species. The
silver pheasant
(
Euplocamus nychthemerus
) of China, and several related species from Southern Asia, are very beautiful.
2.
(Zool.)
The ruffed grouse.
[Southern U.S.]
☞ Various other birds are locally called pheasants, as the lyre bird, the leipoa, etc.
Fireback pheasant
.
See
Fireback
.
Gold pheasant
, or
Golden pheasant
(Zool.)
,
a Chinese pheasant (
Thaumalea picta
), having rich, varied colors. The crest is amber-colored, the rump is golden yellow, and the under parts are scarlet.
Mountain pheasant
(Zool.)
,
the ruffed grouse.
[Local, U.S.]
Pheasant coucal
(Zool.)
,
a large Australian cuckoo (
Centropus phasianus
). The general color is black, with chestnut wings and brown tail. Called also
pheasant cuckoo
. The name is also applied to other allied species.
Pheasant duck
.
(Zool.)
(a)
The pintail
.
(b)
The hooded merganser.
Pheasant parrot
(Zool.)
,
a large and beautiful Australian parrakeet (
Platycercus Adelaidensis
). The male has the back black, the feathers margined with yellowish blue and scarlet, the quills deep blue, the wing coverts and cheeks light blue, the crown, sides of the neck, breast, and middle of the belly scarlet.
Pheasant’s eye
.
(Bot.)
(a)
A red-flowered herb (
Adonis autumnalis
) of the Crowfoot family; – called also
pheasant's-eye Adonis
.
(b)
The garden pink (
Dianthus plumarius
); – called also
Pheasant's-eye pink
.
Pheasant shell
(Zool.)
,
any marine univalve shell of the genus
Phasianella
, of which numerous species are found in tropical seas. The shell is smooth and usually richly colored, the colors often forming blotches like those of a pheasant.
Pheasant wood
.
(Bot.)
Same as
Partridge wood
(a)
, under
Partridge
.
Sea pheasant
(Zool.)
,
the pintail.
Water pheasant
.
(Zool.)
(a)
The sheldrake
.
(b)
The hooded merganser.

Webster 1828 Edition


Pheasant

PHEASANT

,
Noun.
phez'ant. [L. phasianus.] A fowl of the genus Phasianus, of beautiful plumage, and its flesh delicate food.

Definition 2024


pheasant

pheasant

English

A common pheasant

Noun

pheasant (plural pheasants)

  1. A bird of family Phasianidae, often hunted for food.

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