[syn: babbler, cackler]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Thrush \Thrush\, n. [OE. [thorn]rusche, AS. [thorn]rysce; akin
to OHG. drosca, droscea, droscela, and E. throstle. Cf.
Throstle.]
1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of singing birds
belonging to Turdus and allied genera. They are noted
for the sweetness of their songs.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Among the best-known European species are the song
thrush or throstle (Turdus musicus), the missel
thrush (see under Missel), the European redwing, and
the blackbird. The most important American species are
the wood thrush (Turdus mustelinus), Wilson's thrush
(Turdus fuscescens), the hermit thrush (see under
Hermit), Swainson's thrush (Turdus Aliciae), and
the migratory thrush, or American robin (see Robin).
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of singing birds more
or less resembling the true thrushes in appearance or
habits; as the thunderbird and the American brown thrush
(or thrasher). See Brown thrush.
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Ant thrush. See Ant thrush, Breve, and Pitta.
Babbling thrush, any one of numerous species of Asiatic
timaline birds; -- called also babbler.
Fruit thrush, any species of bulbul.
Shrike thrush. See under Shrike.
Stone thrush, the missel thrush; -- said to be so called
from its marbled breast.
Thrush nightingale. See Nightingale, 2.
Thrush tit, any one of several species of Asiatic singing
birds of the genus Cochoa. They are beautifully colored
birds allied to the tits, but resembling thrushes in size
and habits.
Water thrush.
(a) The European dipper.
(b) An American warbler (Seiurus Noveboracensis).
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Babbler \Bab"bler\, n.
1. An idle talker; an irrational prater; a teller of secrets.
[1913 Webster]
Great babblers, or talkers, are not fit for trust.
--L'Estrange.
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2. A hound too noisy on finding a good scent.
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3. (Zool.) A name given to any one of a family
(Timalin[ae]) of thrushlike birds, having a chattering
note.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
babbler
n 1: an obnoxious and foolish and loquacious talker [syn:
chatterer, babbler, prater, chatterbox, magpie,
spouter]
2: any of various insectivorous Old World birds with a loud
incessant song; in some classifications considered members of
the family Muscicapidae [syn: babbler, cackler]