Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
European water ouzel

European water ouzel

9.9
A small bird with a white throat that lives by rivers and dives for insects
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : mirlo acuático europeo
  • We spotted a European water ouzel diving for insects beneath the icy water.

Examples

  • The European water ouzel is often seen bobbing along fast-flowing rivers in the Alps.

  • The distinctive song of the European water ouzel can be heard early in spring.

  • Look! A European water ouzel is perched on that rock!

  • The European water ouzel is known for its unique singing.

  • The European water ouzel is often seen bobbing along fast-flowing rivers in the Alps.

  • The distinctive song of the European water ouzel can be heard early in spring.

  • We spotted a European water ouzel diving for insects beneath the icy water.

Synonyms

Cinclus aquaticus
vsEuropean water ouzel
  • Specialized
9.9

A small bird that lives near mountain streams in Europe and dives for insects

is the everyday English name used instead of the scientific term
water ouzel
vsEuropean water ouzel
9.5

A small, strong bird that lives by fast streams and dives into water to get food

is the specific songbird species rather than a general stream bird

Surface Forms

European water ouzel singular
European water ouzels plural

Morphology

European + water + ouzel

The phrase is a literal, descriptive combination: 'European' (from Europe) + 'water' (aquatic habitat) + 'ouzel' (a bird), so a learner who knows the constituents can infer it denotes a water-dwelling European bird (the white-throated dipper). This follows regular compositional naming patterns cross-linguistically and contains no idiomatic or metaphorical shift, making it immediately comprehensible.

Etymology

European water ouzel got its name from the bird's habit of bobbing and diving in fast streams. The word water shows where it lives and ouzel is an old word for a small bird, so the name points to a little bird that 'dips' in water.