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/fˈɛzənt/ Listen

noun

Pheasant n.

1.

(Zool.) Any one of numerous species of large gallinaceous birds of the genus Phasianus, and many other genera of the family Phasianidae, found chiefly in Asia. Note: The common pheasant, or English pheasant (Phasianus Colchicus) is now found over most of temperate Europe, but was introduced from Asia. The ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus torquatus) and the green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor) have been introduced into Oregon. The golden pheasant (Thaumalea picta) is one of the most beautiful species. The silver pheasant (Euplocamus nychthemerus) of China, and several related species from Southern Asia, are very beautiful.

2.

(Zool.) The ruffed grouse. (Southern U.S.) Note: Various other birds are locally called pheasants, as the lyre bird, the leipoa, etc.

Fireback pheasant. See Fireback.

Gold pheasant, or Golden pheasant (Zool.), a Chinese pheasant (Thaumalea picta), having rich, varied colors. The crest is amber-colored, the rump is golden yellow, and the under parts are scarlet.

Mountain pheasant (Zool.), the ruffed grouse. (Local, U.S.)

Pheasant coucal (Zool.), a large Australian cuckoo (Centropus phasianus). The general color is black, with chestnut wings and brown tail. Called also pheasant cuckoo. The name is also applied to other allied species.

Pheasant duck. (Zool.)

(a)

The pintail.

(b)

The hooded merganser.

Pheasant parrot (Zool.), a large and beautiful Australian parrakeet (Platycercus Adelaidensis). The male has the back black, the feathers margined with yellowish blue and scarlet, the quills deep blue, the wing coverts and cheeks light blue, the crown, sides of the neck, breast, and middle of the belly scarlet.

Pheasant's eye. (Bot.)

(a)

A red-flowered herb (Adonis autumnalis) of the Crowfoot family; called also pheasant's-eye Adonis.

(b)

The garden pink (Dianthus plumarius); called also Pheasant's-eye pink.

Pheasant shell (Zool.), any marine univalve shell of the genus Phasianella, of which numerous species are found in tropical seas. The shell is smooth and usually richly colored, the colors often forming blotches like those of a pheasant.

Pheasant wood. (Bot.) Same as Partridge wood (a), under Partridge.

Sea pheasant (Zool.), the pintail.

Water pheasant. (Zool.)

(a)

The sheldrake.

(b)

The hooded merganser.

See images of 'Pheasant'

Etymology of 'Pheasant'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Pheasant" Quotes from Famous Books

... here," continued their informant; "and they are very good eating; perhaps some of our party will be fortunate enough to bring down a turkey or two before we go back. There is one fowl here called the mallee bird, about the size of the pheasant, and resembling him in many ways. He generally lives near the edge of the mallee scrub, and his flesh is very much esteemed by all who have eaten it. The mallee is a gregarious bird, and at the breeding season large numbers of them come together. They collect great heaps of dry leaves, among ...

— The Land of the Kangaroo - Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey through the Great Island Continent • Thomas Wallace Knox

... fishes and riding after foxes he could not give his mind to the occupation, so as to abstract his thoughts. But Cicero's de Natura Deorum was more effectual. Gradually he returned to a gentle cheerfulness of life, but he never burst out again into the violent exercise of shooting a pheasant. After that his mother died, and again he was called upon to endure a lasting sorrow. But on this occasion the sorrow was of that kind which is softened by having been expected. He rarely spoke of his mother,—had never, up to this period at which our tale finds him, mentioned his ...

— An Old Man's Love • Anthony Trollope

... table. The last pack remembered was killed about thirty-five years ago; and within these ten years one solitary greyhen was sprung by some beagles in beating for a hare. The sportsmen cried out, "A hen pheasant!" but a gentleman present, who had often seen grouse in the north of England, assured me that ...

— The Natural History of Selborne, Vol. 1 • Gilbert White

... of his brethren in the praises of his sirloin of beef. "Beef," said the sage magistrate, "is the king of meat; beef comprehends in it the quintessence of partridge, and quail, and venison, and pheasant, and plum-pudding, and custard." When Peter came home, he would needs take the fancy of cooking up this doctrine into use, and apply the precept in default of a sirloin to his brown loaf. "Bread," says he, "dear brothers, is the staff of life, in which bread is contained ...

— A Tale of a Tub • Jonathan Swift

... left off housekeeping[972], and therefore made presents of the game which you were pleased to send me. The pheasant I gave to Mr. Richardson[973], the bustard to Dr. Lawrence, and the pot I placed with Miss Williams, to be eaten by myself. She desires that her compliments and good wishes may be accepted by the family; and I make the ...

— Life Of Johnson, Vol. 1 • Boswell, Edited by Birkbeck Hill

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