dictionary help| nightingale | medical dictionary |
1. <zoology> A small, plain, brown and gray European song bird (Luscinia luscinia). It sings at night, and is celebrated for the sweetness of its song.
2. <zoology> A larger species (Lucinia philomela), of Eastern Europe, having similar habits; the thrush nightingale. The name is also applied to other allied species. Mock nightingale.
Origin: OE. Nihtegale,nightingale, AS. Nihtegale; niht night + galan to sing, akin to E. Yell; cf. D. Nachtegaal, OS. Nahtigala, OHG. Nahtigala, G. Nachtigall, Sw. Naktergal, Dan. Nattergal. See Night, and Yell.
(01 Mar 1998)
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