First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
pheasant
noun pheas·ant \ˈfe-zənt\
: a large bird that has a long tail and is often hunted for food or sport
: the meat of the pheasant eaten as food
plural pheasant or pheasants
Full Definition of PHEASANT
1
: any of numerous large often long-tailed and brightly colored Old World gallinaceous birds (Phasianus and related genera of the family Phasianidae) including many raised as ornamental or game birds — compare ring-necked pheasant
2
: any of various birds resembling a pheasant
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Origin of PHEASANT
Middle English fesaunt, from Anglo-French fesant, faisan, from Latin phasianus, from Greek (ornis) phasianos, from phasianos of the Phasis River, from Phasis, river in Colchis
PHEASANTS Defined for Kids
pheasant
noun pheas·ant \ˈfe-zənt\
Definition of PHEASANT for Kids
: a large brightly colored bird with a long tail that is related to the chicken and is sometimes hunted for food or sport
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