释义 |
ˈsheld-apple, ˈshell-apple dial. Also sheldafle, shillaple, etc. [Usually taken to be f. sheld a. + dapple a., but perhaps a metathetic form of *sheldalp, f. sheld a. + alp2 (dial. alf), bullfinch.] Applied to two birds remarkable for their variegated plumage. 1. The chaffinch, Fringilla cœlebs.
1544W. Turner Avium Præcip. D 6, De Fringilla,.. Anglicè a chaffinche, a sheld appel, a spink. 1611Cotgr., Berée, a spinke, sheldaple, chaffinch. 1802R. Anderson Cumbld. Ball. (1805) 21, I mind, when he cross'd the deep watter, To get me the shilapple' est. 1813Montagu Ornith. Dict. Suppl., Shelly or Shell-apple. 1880C. H. Poole Gloss. Staff., Shell or Sheld-apple, the chaffinch. 2. The crossbill, Loxia curvirostra.
1666Merrett Pinax 172 Loxias, the Shell-Apple. 1668Charleton Onomast. 69 Loxia..the Cross-beak, or Shell⁓aple. 1674Ray Engl. Birds 88. 1768 Pennant Brit. Zool. II. 279. 1802 Montagu Ornith. Dict., Shell, or Sheld-apple. Vide Crossbill. |