rosella

noun

ro·​sel·​la

rōˈzelə

plural -s

1

: an Australian parakeet (Platycercus eximius) often kept as a cage bird having the head and back of the neck scarlet and the cheeks white, the back dark green varied with lighter green, and the breast red and yellow

broadly : any parakeet of the genus Platycercus

2

Australia : a sheep that has shed a portion of its wool

Word History

Etymology

irregular from Rosehill, district near Sydney, southeast Australia

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now