ornithologicaladj.
/ˌɔːnᵻθəˈlɒdʒᵻkl/, U.S. /ˈˌɔrnəθəˈlɑdʒək(ə)l/ 1. Of or relating to ornithology.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > zoology > study of specific types of animal > [adjective] > birds
ornithological1802
ornithologic1846
ornithica1876
1802 G. Montagu (title) Ornithological dictionary; or alphabetical synopsis of British birds.
1824 M. R. Mitford Our Village I. 196 The ornithological ear of the master..was struck by a regular and melodious call, the note, as he averred, of a sky-lark.
1930 Science 8 Aug. 144/2 A thorough ornithological investigation in the vicinity of Churchill.., making observations on the migration of birds and their habitat.
1991 I. Tree Ruling Passion John Gould (BNC) 64 Such creatures [sc. kakapos] defied all Western ornithological experience.
2. Of or relating to birds; avian.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > [adjective]
feathereda1605
ornithic1842
ornithological1842
avian1870
avine1881
volucrine1881
1842 R. H. Barham Babes in Wood in Ingoldsby Legends 2nd Ser. 191 These two little birds..cover the bodies with leaves, An interment quite ornithological.
1875 M. E. Braddon Strange World II. i. 9 A marvellous specimen of the ornithological race.
a1983 D. Dunn Sel. Poems (1986) 259 Glaswegian starlings fly In their black cape, a fluttered noise, Ornithological hurrahs From spires in the November sky.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2004; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.1802