subsongn.
/ˈsʌbsɒŋ/, U.S. /ˈsəbˌsɔŋ/, /ˈsəbˌsɑŋ/ Ornithology.
A quiet, relatively unstructured form of birdsong, typically uttered before the full territorial song has developed.
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subsong1925
1925 E. M. Nicholson in Field Dec. 31/3 Even the chaffinch..has a very low rambling, warbling sub-song with no fire or decision about it.
1948 Brit. Birds 41 51 The sub-song was occasionally replaced by the typical loud burst of song characteristic of this species [sc. the redstart].
1979 New Scientist 17 May 537/1 Subsong is a rather soft and rambling type of singing..in which the bird seems to try out various sounds for itself.
2008 West Briton (Nexis) 18 Sept. 48 Listen for the long, musical sub-song [of the goldcrest], a softly rambling twittering somewhat reminiscent of a robin.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1925- to shy away
- to shy off
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- to sicken for
- to side out for a bend
- to side up with
- to sift and search
- to sift to the bran
- to sigh sore
- to sigh unsound
- to sight
- to sign a pledge
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- to sign one's own death warrant
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