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Glite Dictionary
mavis

mavis

9 9.9
A small brown bird that sings a clear repeating song
  • noun
  • /ˈmeɪ.vɪs/
  • Archaic
translation icon : mirlo

Examples

  • After meeting Martin Luther King Jr., Mavis Staples moved seriously to the performance of protest and freedom songs.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Mavis Staples is a legend in gospel, blues, and soul music.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Mavis Staples's "Step into the Light" (from the CD Have a Little Faith, 2004)

    Academic text (2008)

  • In the garden, I often hear the sweet song of the mavis singing in the early morning.

  • The mavis is known for its beautiful melody, enchanting everyone who listens.

  • During spring, the mavis can be spotted perched on tree branches, singing joyfully.

Synonyms

throstle
vsmavis
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A small brown bird with spots on its chest that sings beautifully

uses the standard modern common name rather than the older alternate term
Turdus philomelos
vsmavis
  • Specialized
9.1

A small brown bird with a spotted chest that sings beautiful songs

is the common English name used instead of the Latin form
song thrush
vsmavis
  • UK
4.5

A small brown bird that sings short repeated songs

is mainly European rather than occurring across all of Eurasia
thrush nightingale
vsmavis
9.8

A large songbird from eastern Europe that sings a rich, beautiful song

is the thrush species rather than a different nightingale species

Surface Forms

mavis singular
mavises plural

Etymology

Mavis comes from an old French name mauvis for a singing bird and has long meant the European 'song thrush', a small bird famous for its clear, flute-like notes. So, thinking of a sweet morning song helps you remember that mavis means the song thrush.