cardinal grosbeak
- noun
- /ˈkɑrdɪnəl ˈɡroʊzbiːk/
- US
:
cardenal
- A brilliant cardinal grosbeak perched on the feeder, flashing its red feathers in the morning sun.
Examples
-
The thick beak of the cardinal grosbeak helps it to easily crack open seeds.
-
Many birdwatchers hope to spot a male cardinal grosbeak during their spring outings.
-
Look at that cardinal grosbeak!
-
I saw a cardinal grosbeak in my backyard yesterday.
-
A brilliant cardinal grosbeak perched on the feeder, flashing its red feathers in the morning sun.
-
Many birdwatchers hope to spot a male cardinal grosbeak during their spring outings.
-
The thick beak of the cardinal grosbeak helps it to easily crack open seeds.
Synonyms
4
4.1
A North American songbird with bright red male feathers and a crest
1
3.5
A North American songbird with bright red feathers like the male northern cardinal
A North American songbird with a crest and thick bill, male bright red and female brown with red highlights
A medium-sized North American bird with a pointed crest and thick beak whose male is bright red
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a straightforward compound noun: 'cardinal' (a red, crested bird) modifies 'grosbeak' (a large-billed finch), so the phrase denotes a grosbeak with cardinal-like features. A B1 learner who knows both constituents can reliably infer it refers to a type of bird with the described appearance, making the meaning compositional and transparent.
Etymology
Cardinal grosbeak may come from two clear images: cardinal for the bright red color that reminded people of a church cardinal's 'red robe', and grosbeak from old words meaning a bird with a 'large beak'. That's why the name fits the male red bird with a thick bill.