ortygan
9.9
A small bird like a quail or partridge from eastern India
- noun
- Archaic
:
ortygan
- The ortygan is known for its distinct call, which can be heard across the rice fields at dusk.
Examples
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Many people enjoy watching ortygans in the wild.
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The ortygan is known for its beautiful plumage.
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Hunters in the region often search for the elusive ortygan during the early morning hours.
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Local folklore sometimes features the ortygan as a symbol of luck and abundance.
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Hunters in the region often search for the elusive ortygan during the early morning hours.
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The ortygan is known for its distinct call, which can be heard across the rice fields at dusk.
-
Local folklore sometimes features the ortygan as a symbol of luck and abundance.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Ortygan likely comes from an old Greek word ortyx, meaning 'quail'. Think of the familiar bird 'quail'—ortygan is used for small East Indian birds like quail or partridge, so the origin explains the modern meaning.
