Skip to main content
oscine

oscine

1 9.9
Relating to birds that sing, like robins or finches
  • adjective
  • /ˈɑːsɪn/
  • Specialized
: oscínido
  • Most oscine species learn their songs from adult tutors during early development.

Examples

  • The remarkable vocal abilities of oscine birds have fascinated researchers for decades.

  • Many oscine birds migrate during the winter.

  • The ornithologist specializes in the study of oscine populations across South America.

  • The oscine species are known for their beautiful songs.

  • The remarkable vocal abilities of oscine birds have fascinated researchers for decades.

  • The ornithologist specializes in the study of oscine populations across South America.

  • Most oscine species learn their songs from adult tutors during early development.

Compounds

oscine bird
  • Specialized
1 9.5

A bird that makes complex songs with a special part in its throat

Surface Forms

oscine positive

Morphology

oscine = osc + ine

Although the suffix '-ine' is a productive adjective-forming element meaning 'relating to', the root 'osc-' is an obscure combining form (not a standalone English word), so learners cannot derive the meaning 'songbird-related' from known English components.

Etymology

Oscine comes from Latin and is tied to the idea of 'singing', because it was used for birds known for their songs. So, when something is called oscine it means 'relating to songbirds'.