| oriole | <ornithology> Any one of various species of Old World singing birds of the family Oriolidae. They are usually conspicuously coloured with yellow and black. The European or golden oriole (Oriolus galbula, or O. Oriolus) has a very musical flutelike note. In America, any one of several species of the genus Icterus, belonging to the family Icteridae. See Baltimore oriole, and Orchard oriole, under Orchard. Crested oriole. <zoology> See Cassican. Origin: OF. Oriol, oriouz, orieus, F. Loriot (for l'oriol), fr. L. Aureolus golden, dim. Of aureus golden, fr. Aurum gold. Cf. Aureole, Oriel, Loriot. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| baltimore oriole | <zoology> A common American bird (Icterus galbula), named after Lord Baltimore, because its colours (black and orange red) are like those of his coat of arms. Synonym: golden robin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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