Bird Meaning
Bird Definition & Usage
A small, typically feathered vertebrate animal that is known for its ability to fly, though some species are flightless. Birds have beaks, lay eggs, and have wings.
Examples
- "The bird perched on the windowsill, chirping happily as the morning sun rose."
- "We spotted several birds in the park, including a crow and a robin."
- "Birds like owls and hawks are known for their exceptional hunting skills."
- "The rare bird species found in the Amazon rainforest is considered endangered."
- "At the zoo, the children were fascinated by the exotic birds in the aviary."
A person, usually a woman, often used in informal contexts, sometimes referring to physical attractiveness.
Examples
- "He's been hanging out with that new bird from the office."
- "The club was filled with a mix of birds and businessmen, all enjoying the night."
- "She’s a real bird, isn’t she? Always turning heads wherever she goes."
- "He asked her out on a date, thinking she was the prettiest bird he had ever seen."
- "The bird from the cafe smiled when I asked for her number."
To look or watch someone or something with interest, typically in a nonchalant or furtive manner.
Examples
- "He was birding across the street, trying not to get caught staring."
- "I caught her birding me from across the room at the party."
- "Stop birding that car, it's just a parked vehicle!"
- "She was birding the performers backstage, clearly impressed by their skills."
- "They spent the afternoon birding the people walking by the café."
Cultural Context
The word 'bird' has roots in Old English, initially referring to a young bird. Over centuries, it expanded in meaning to encompass all flying animals in the avian family. In modern English, the term is used both for its literal zoological meaning and in various slang contexts. In British slang, 'bird' has been used to refer to women, especially in a casual or affectionate sense, though this usage can be considered outdated or even pejorative in certain contexts. The verb 'birding' is a more recent informal term used in the context of casually watching or observing.
A Bird's Eye View
Story
A Bird's Eye View
In a small coastal town, a young girl named Lily loved to watch birds every morning. Her grandmother, a seasoned birdwatcher, often told her stories about the different species they would encounter. One day, Lily spotted a rare bird perched on the old oak tree outside their home. Her heart raced with excitement as she quickly grabbed her binoculars. It wasn’t just any bird, but a bird they had been hoping to see for years—the crimson-winged warbler. Her grandmother smiled, 'You've got a keen eye, Lily. You're becoming quite the birdwatcher yourself.' That evening, while they sat together in the garden, they watched the sunset as the birds flew home. Lily smiled, knowing she had just had the most beautiful birdwatching day of her life. Later that week, she spotted another bird on her way to school. Her best friend, James, noticed her peeking through the trees. 'You birding again, huh?' he asked with a grin. 'Yep,' she replied, 'there’s always something new to see.' As she looked at the bird perched on the wire, she felt a sense of freedom, much like the birds that soared across the sky. Every day, her love for birds grew stronger, and so did her knowledge about them. Soon, her observations would turn into a passion for conservation. Lily realized that sometimes, the simplest moments—like watching a bird in flight—could change the course of her life forever.
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