murmuration

noun

mur·​mur·​a·​tion

ˌmərməˈrāshən

plural -s

1

: the act of murmuring : the utterance of low continuous sounds or complaining noises

the murmuration of the crowds

—A. E. Richardson

ceaseless, inarticulate murmuration of prayer

—Frederic Prokosch

2

of starlings : flock

in the stackyard there was a great murmuration of starlings

—Mary Webb

Word History

Etymology

Middle English murmuracioun, from Middle French murmuration, from Latin murmuration-, murmuratio, from murmuratus (past participle of murmurare) + -ion-, -io -ion

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