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Glite Dictionary
golden-crested kinglet

golden-crested kinglet

9.3
A very small European bird with a bright yellow crown patch edged in black
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : reyezuelo dorado
  • The golden-crested kinglet darted among the branches, its yellow crown patch flashing in the sunlight.

Examples

  • Despite its tiny size, the golden-crested kinglet is known for its lively song.

  • I spotted a golden-crested kinglet in the garden.

  • Birdwatchers often hope to spot a golden-crested kinglet during their walks in European woodlands.

  • The golden-crested kinglet is known for its vibrant colors.

  • Birdwatchers often hope to spot a golden-crested kinglet during their walks in European woodlands.

  • Despite its tiny size, the golden-crested kinglet is known for its lively song.

  • The golden-crested kinglet darted among the branches, its yellow crown patch flashing in the sunlight.

Synonyms

kinglet
vsgolden-crested kinglet
1 8.4

A very small bird with a bright yellow crown that eats insects

is the single European species with a distinctive black-bordered yellow crown patch
goldcrest
vsgolden-crested kinglet
  • UK
9.8

A very small European songbird with a yellow patch on its head edged in black

is an alternative common name used for that bird
Regulus regulus
vsgolden-crested kinglet
  • Specialized
9.3

A very small European bird with a bright yellow patch on its head and a black edge

is the everyday common name rather than the scientific form

Surface Forms

golden-crested kinglet singular
golden-crested kinglets plural

Morphology

golden-crested + kinglet

The phrase is compositional: 'golden-crested' describes having a golden (yellow) crest and 'kinglet' denotes a small songbird, so the overall meaning (a small bird with a golden crown patch) is directly derivable from the parts. This kind of color/feature + animal compound is semantically transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would understand it.

Etymology

Golden-crested kinglet comes from the bird's tiny bright 'crown' of yellow feathers, with golden meaning yellow and crested meaning a small crest that flashes when it moves. Because that bright 'crown' looks like a tiny king's hat, people call the little bird a kinglet, so the name now means a very small songbird with a golden crown.