any of numerous large, usually long-tailed, Old World gallinaceous birds of the family Phasianidae, widely introduced.
any of various other birds that resemble or suggest a pheasant.
Southern U.S.the ruffed grouse.
Origin of pheasant
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English fesaunt, from Anglo-French; Old French fesan, from Latin phāsiānus, from Greek phāsiānós (órnis) “(bird) of the Phasis,” a river in the Caucasus
It is the first time Charles has been pictured with a gun on a pheasant shoot since December 2008.
Prince Charles Photographed Shooting, Charges of Animal Cruelty and Royal Hypocrisy Reignited|Tom Sykes|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Wood pigeon, pheasant, partridge, grouse, peacocks, hares, wild rabbits, and waterfowl are all dietary staples.
Edible Taxidermy: It’s a Good Thing|Lizzie Crocker|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The pheasant calls for Pommard, while songbirds and hare lend themselves to aged Bordeaux or a light Gevrey.
The Queen of the French Kitchen|Katie Baker|March 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hemingway is shown on p. 89, pensive with rifle at a pheasant shoot in Idaho.
Defining American Cool From Walt Whitman to Tina Fey and Johnny Depp|Jason Berry|March 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Along with pheasant- and grouse-shooting, chicken-raising ranks high on the list.
The Duchess Tells All|Chloë Schama|November 25, 2010|DAILY BEAST
If pheasant is not obtainable, prairie chicken is a perfect substitute for it, or woodcock will do in the place of either.
Gala Day Luncheons|Caroline Benedict Burrell
The gamekeeper replied that he had, and a pheasant that was caught in one of them.
Trial of the Officers and Crew of the Privateer Savannah, on the Charge of Piracy, in the United States Circuit Court for the Southern District of New York|A. F. Warburton
At that, I hold no brief for the pheasant—except when served with breadcrumb dressing and currant jelly he is no friend of mine.
Europe Revised|Irvin S. Cobb
The countryman was pleased at the offer, and set the pheasant free.
Georgian Folk Tales|Unknown
The first contained about five hundred Lady Amherst pheasant skins, falling to pieces and lacking heads and legs.
Our Vanishing Wild Life|William T. Hornaday
British Dictionary definitions for pheasant
pheasant
/ (ˈfɛzənt) /
noun
any of various long-tailed gallinaceous birds of the family Phasianidae, esp Phasianus colchicus (ring-necked pheasant), having a brightly-coloured plumage in the male: native to Asia but introduced elsewhere
any of various other gallinaceous birds of the family Phasianidae, including the quails and partridges
US and Canadianany of several other gallinaceous birds, esp the ruffed grouse
Word Origin for pheasant
C13: from Old French fesan, from Latin phāsiānus, from Greek phasianos ornis Phasian bird, named after the River Phasis, in Colchis