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Glite Dictionary
tomtit

tomtit

1 9.9
A small European bird with bright blue wings, tail, and head
  • noun
  • /ˈtɒm.tɪt/
  • UK
translation icon : carbonero azul
  • We spotted a tomtit hopping around in the garden, its bright blue wings catching the sunlight.

Examples

  • On a tree near the river, a little tomtit sang its cheerful song.

  • Reckon I will day after tomtit row.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Don't give me the tomtit.

    They're a Weird Mob (1966)

  • We stopped and had great views of an obliging male South Island tomtit who was collecting food along the roadside, and then finally managed to get good views of a fernbird that was also feeding young.

    Blog text (32)

  • Was the tyrant who snapped his quills and tore his paper the same who stood so still to lure a lizard the tomtits lit on his head?

    Fiction book (1996)

  • During our nature walk, we came across a tomtit chirping on a branch, adding melody to the peaceful surroundings.

Synonyms

blue tit
vstomtit
  • UK
1 5.7

A small European songbird with bright blue wings, tail and crown

is an alternative common English name used for the same bird
Parus caeruleus
vstomtit
  • UK
9.9

A small European bird with bright blue wings, tail, and head

is the common English name for the same species rather than the Latin name

Surface Forms

tomtit singular
tomtits plural

Morphology

tomtit = tom + tit (semi-transparent) = tom + tit

Formally a compound of 'tom' + 'tit' so parts are visible, but the use as a species name is lexicalized and not a productive 'male + small bird' construction for learners.

Etymology

Tomtit comes from two simple parts: tom, a common name for a male, as in tomcat, and tit, a small bird like the familiar 'blue tit'. So the name suggests a 'male' or 'small' tit, which fits this tiny bright songbird with blue wings.