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Glite Dictionary
dunnock

dunnock

1 9.7
A small brown bird that sings and often lives in gardens and hedges
  • noun
  • /ˈdʌnək/
  • UK
: dunnock
  • Here in Europe, there is a small brown bird called the Dunnock.

Examples

  • Many birdwatchers enjoy observing the dunnock as it sings from a low branch.

  • Here in Europe, there is a small brown bird called the Dunnock.

    Blog text (30)

  • Dunnock (not verified) - August 23, 2011 @ 11:44 PM

    Blog text (2)

  • The dunnock is commonly seen hopping around gardens in Europe.

  • In spring, the presence of the dunnock adds joyful sounds to the garden.

Synonyms

hedge sparrow
vsdunnock
  • UK
1 5.8

A small brown songbird found in hedges and gardens

is the standard English name used in scientific and field guides
Prunella modularis
vsdunnock
  • Specialized
9.9

A small brown bird that sings and lives in European gardens, woodlands and hedges

is the everyday English name used for the same bird

Surface Forms

dunnock singular
dunnocks plural

Morphology

dunnock = dun (opaque) = dun + ock

Historically formed from 'dun' + diminutive suffix '-ock' meaning 'little brown one', but 'dun' is archaic and '-ock' is not productive, so learners cannot reliably derive the bird meaning.

Etymology

Dunnock comes from the old English word dun meaning 'brown' and the small ending -ock. So it literally means 'little brown one', which helps explain why this bird is small and brown.