robin
UK /ˈɹɒ.bɪn/ · US /ˈɹɑ.bɪn/ noun, proper noun
Forms robins Robyn
- noun A European robin, Erithacus rubecula.
- noun An American robin, Turdus migratorius.
- noun (historical) A trimming in front of a dress.
- noun (organic chemistry) A toxalbumin obtained from the locust tree.
- proper noun A male given name from the Romance languages or the Germanic languages.
- proper noun A female given name from the Germanic languages, also associated with the bird robin.
- proper noun (rare compared to given name) A surname originating as a patronymic.
- noun (soccer) Someone connected with any number of sports teams known as the Robins, as a fan, player, coach, etc.
Synonyms
ruddock redbreast robin redbreast Old World robin Erithacus rubecola American robin Turdus migratorius
Etymology
Short for robin redbreast. Also from Middle English robynet, robynett (“robin (bird)”), from the Middle English name Robynett, a diminutive of the Middle English name Robyn (“Robin”).
* (masculine given name): From Middle English Robin, from Old French, diminutive of Robert.
* (feminine given name): From the bird, robin, or from Germanic.
Webster’s 1913
Etymology [Properly a pet name for Robert, originally meaning, famebright; F., fron OHG. Roudperht; ruod (in comp.; akin to AS. hr glory, fame, Goth. hr victorius) + beraht bright. See Bright, Hob a clown.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “robin”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details