partridge

noun

par·​tridge ˈpär-trij 

 dialectal  ˈpa-trij

plural partridge or partridges

1

: any of various typically medium-sized stout-bodied Old World gallinaceous birds (Perdix, Alectoris, and related genera) with variegated plumage that are often hunted as game

2

: any of various related birds (such as the American ruffed grouse or bobwhite) resembling the Old World partridges in size, habits, or value as game

Illustration of partridge

• partridge 1

Examples of partridge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The girl boards the ship with four eggs, three sons, two hatchlings (and a partridge in a pear tree). —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 30 June 2024

Pliny noted that blackbirds, partridges, jays and pigeons also eat bay leaves for digestive problems. —Adrienne Mayor, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2024

About 100,000 birds, including pheasants, chukar, Hungarian and French red-legged partridges, were killed by animal health authorities after the finding. —Journal Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2024

Farther down the hall from the small birds is the raptors’ room, which on this particular day was home to a partridge, a crow, a buzzard, an owl and a greenfinch — all kept in separate, locker-sized cages. —Jess McHugh, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English partrich, modification of Anglo-French perdriz, alteration of Old French perdix, from Latin perdic-, perdix, from Greek perdik-, perdix

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

partridge

noun

par·​tridge ˈpär-trij 

plural partridge or partridges

: any of several plump Old World birds related to the common chicken and often hunted as game

also : any of various North American birds (as a bobwhite or ruffed grouse) that are related to and resemble partridges of the Old World