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nightingale
noun
Examples of nightingale in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nightingale.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Middle English, variant (with intrusive n) of nyhtegale, nyghtgale, going back to Old English nehtægale, nihtegale, going back to West Germanic *nahti-galōn, from *nahti- night entry 1 + -galōn, noun derivative of Germanic *galan- "to sing," whence Old English galan "to sing, call, sing enchantments," Old High German, "to sing enchantments, conjure," Old Norse gala "to crow, chant, sing," perhaps of onomatopoeic origin
Note: Germanic *galan- has been compared with Gothic goljan "to greet," Old Norse gæla "to comfort, soothe, appease," allegedly from a causative derivative *gōljan- from underlying *gol-. Proposed Indo-European comparisons (as Russian dialect galit' "to smile," galit'sja "to mock, jeer," Armenian gełgełem "sing beautifully, quiver, vibrate") are tenuous. See also etymology at yell entry 1.
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near nightingale
Cite this Entry
“Nightingale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nightingale. Accessed 21 Sep. 2024.
Kids Definition
nightingale
nounBiographical Definition
Nightingale
biographical name
More from Merriam-Webster on nightingale
Nglish: Translation of nightingale for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of nightingale for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nightingale
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