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Glite Dictionary
ruby-crowned kinglet

ruby-crowned kinglet

1 8.8
A small North American songbird with a red patch on the male's head
  • noun
  • /ˈruːbiˌkraʊnd ˈkɪŋlɪt/
  • US
translation icon : reyezuelo coronirrojo
  • In the warm spring, a ruby-crowned kinglet sang sweetly from the tree branches.

Examples

  • The ruby-crowned kinglet is known for its bright red crown.

  • The ruby-crowned kinglet is often seen flitting through shrubs in search of insects.

  • Birdwatchers were excited to spot a male ruby-crowned kinglet displaying its scarlet crown.

  • During the migration season, ruby-crowned kinglets can be heard singing their complex songs.

  • I spotted a ruby-crowned kinglet in the garden yesterday.

  • While hiking, I spotted a ruby-crowned kinglet flitting among the leaves, its red crown gleaming in the sunlight.

  • The ruby-crowned kinglet is often seen in dense coniferous forests, where it searches for insects.

Synonyms

Regulus calendula
vsruby-crowned kinglet
  • Specialized
9.9

A very small North American bird whose male has a red patch on the top of the head and sings

means the same but is given as the common name only

Surface Forms

ruby-crowned kinglet singular
ruby-crowned kinglets plural

Morphology

ruby-crowned + kinglet

The phrase is transparently compositional: 'ruby-crowned' means 'having a ruby (red) crown' and 'kinglet' is a small songbird, so the compound denotes a small kinglet with a red crown patch. This adjective+noun combination follows regular English formation and would be predictable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

The name ruby-crowned kinglet comes from the tiny bird's bright red patch on its head. Ruby is like a 'red jewel', crowned means a 'crown', and kinglet means a 'small king', so the red spot looks like a jewel crown on a little king, which is why the name refers to this small songbird.