| ortolan | <zoology> A European singing bird (Emberiza hortulana), about the size of the lark, with black wings. It is esteemed delicious food when fattened. Synonym: bunting. In England, the wheatear (Saxicola oenanthe). In America, the sora, or Carolina rail (Porzana Carolina). See Sora. Origin: F, fr. It. Ortolano ortolan, gardener, fr. L. Hortulanus gardener, fr. Hortulus, dim. Of hortus garden. So called because it frequents the hedges of gardens. See Yard an inclosure, and cf. Hortulan. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
|---|