释义 |
blackbird I. \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\ noun Etymology: Middle English blakbrid, from blak black + brid, bird bird 1. : any of various birds of which the males are largely or entirely black: as a. Britain : a common and familiar thrush (Turdus merula) that is black with orange bill and eye rim — called also merl b. : any of several American birds of the family Icteridae: as (1) : redwing blackbird (2) : purple grackle (3) : rusty blackbird 2. : a Kanaka kidnaped for use as a plantation laborer especially in Australia II. verb (-ed/-ing/-s) intransitive verb : to kidnap Kanakas for use or sale as laborers especially in Australia — usually used in the form blackbirding < that … man who became the terror of the Pacific in the lawless days of blackbirding and piracy — Times Literary Supplement > transitive verb : to kidnap (Kanakas) for use or sale as laborers |