regent bird

noun

: a showy Australian bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus) that in the male has the head, neck, and large patches on the wings bright golden yellow and the rest of the plumage deep velvety black

Word History

Etymology

so called in honor of George, Prince of Wales (afterward George IV †1830 King of Great Britain and Ireland), regent during the period (1811–20) when his father George III was still alive but permanently deranged

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!