passerines
|pas-ser-ines|
/ˈpæsəraɪn/
(passerine)
perching bird
Etymology
'passerine' originates from New Latin/Modern scientific usage, ultimately from Latin 'passer' meaning 'sparrow'.
'passerine' developed from Latin 'passer' ('sparrow') into New Latin/ scientific formation (as in 'Passeriformes') and was adopted into English as 'passerine'.
Initially related specifically to 'sparrow' or 'sparrow-like'; over time it came to denote birds of the broader order Passeriformes (perching/songbirds).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'passerine': any bird of the order Passeriformes — perching birds (often small to medium-sized, include sparrows, finches, robins, crows and many songbirds).
Passerines such as sparrows and finches are common in urban parks.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/06 10:15