1.
[syn: ruffed grouse, partridge, Bonasa umbellus]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Grouse \Grouse\ (grous), n. sing. & pl. [Prob. after the analogy
of mouse, mice, fr. the earlier grice, OF. griesche meor hen:
cf. F. piegri[`e]che shrike.] (Zool.)
Any of the numerous species of gallinaceous birds of the
family Tetraonid[ae], and subfamily Tetraonin[ae],
inhabiting Europe, Asia, and North America. They have plump
bodies, strong, well-feathered legs, and usually mottled
plumage. The group includes the ptarmigans (Lagopus),
having feathered feet.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Among the European species are the red grouse (Lagopus
Scoticus) and the hazel grouse (Bonasa betulina).
See Capercaidzie, Ptarmigan, and Heath grouse.
Among the most important American species are the
ruffed grouse, or New England partridge (Bonasa
umbellus); the sharp-tailed grouse (Pedioc[ae]tes
phasianellus) of the West; the dusky blue, or pine
grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) of the Rocky Mountains;
the Canada grouse, or spruce partridge (D.
Canadensis). See also Prairie hen, and Sage cock.
The Old World sand grouse (Pterocles, etc.) belong to
a very different family. See Pterocletes, and Sand
grouse.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Partridge \Par"tridge\ (p[aum]r"tr[i^]j), n. [OE. partriche,
pertriche, OF. pertris, perdriz, F. perdrix, L. perdix,
-icis, fr. Gr. pe`rdix.] (Zool.)
1. Any one of numerous species of small gallinaceous birds of
the genus Perdix and several related genera of the
family Perdicid[ae], of the Old World. The partridge is
noted as a game bird.
[1913 Webster]
Full many a fat partrich had he in mew. --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The common European, or gray, partridge (Perdix
cinerea) and the red-legged partridge (Caccabis
rubra) of Southern Europe and Asia are well-known
species.
[1913 Webster]
2. Any one of several species of quail-like birds belonging
to Colinus, and allied genera. [U.S.]
[1913 Webster]
Note: Among them are the bobwhite (Colinus Virginianus) of
the Eastern States; the plumed, or mountain, partridge
(Oreortyx pictus) of California; the Massena
partridge (Cyrtonyx Montezum[ae]); and the California
partridge (Callipepla Californica).
[1913 Webster]
3. The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus). [New Eng.]
[1913 Webster]
Bamboo partridge (Zool.), a spurred partridge of the genus
Bambusicola. Several species are found in China and the
East Indies.
Night partridge (Zool.), the woodcock. [Local, U.S.]
Painted partridge (Zool.), a francolin of South Africa
(Francolinus pictus).
Partridge berry. (Bot.)
(a) The scarlet berry of a trailing american plant
(Mitchella repens) of the order Rubiace[ae],
having roundish evergreen leaves, and white fragrant
flowers sometimes tinged with purple, growing in pairs
with the ovaries united, and producing the berries
which remain over winter; also, the plant itself.
(b) The fruit of the creeping wintergreen (Gaultheria
procumbens); also, the plant itself.
Partridge dove (Zool.) Same as Mountain witch, under
Mountain.
Partridge pea (Bot.), a yellow-flowered leguminous herb
(Cassia Cham[ae]crista), common in sandy fields in the
Eastern United States.
Partridge shell (Zool.), a large marine univalve shell
(Dolium perdix), having colors variegated like those of
the partridge.
Partridge wood
(a) A variegated wood, much esteemed for cabinetwork. It
is obtained from tropical America, and one source of
it is said to be the leguminous tree Andira inermis.
Called also pheasant wood.
(b) A name sometimes given to the dark-colored and
striated wood of some kind of palm, which is used for
walking sticks and umbrella handles.
Sea partridge (Zool.), an Asiatic sand partridge
(Ammoperdix Bonhami); -- so called from its note.
Snow partridge (Zool.), a large spurred partridge (Lerwa
nivicola) which inhabits the high mountains of Asia;
called also jermoonal.
Spruce partridge. See under Spruce.
Wood partridge, or Hill partridge (Zool.), any small
Asiatic partridge of the genus Arboricola.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Ruffed \Ruffed\, a.
Furnished with a ruff.
[1913 Webster]
Ruffed grouse (Zool.), a North American grouse (Bonasa
umbellus) common in the wooded districts of the Northern
United States. The male has a ruff of brown or black
feathers on each side of the neck, and is noted for the
loud drumming sound he makes during the breeding season.
Called also tippet grouse, partridge, birch
partridge, pheasant, drummer, and white-flesher.
ruffed lemur (Zool.), a species of lemur (lemur varius)
having a conspicuous ruff on the sides of the head. Its
color is varied with black and white. Called also ruffed
maucaco.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
Bonasa umbellus
n 1: valued as a game bird in eastern United States and Canada
[syn: ruffed grouse, partridge, Bonasa umbellus]