Main Entry: ori·ole

Pronunciation: \ˈȯr-ē-ˌōl, -ē-əl\

Function: noun

Etymology: New Latin oriolus, from Medieval Latin, from Old French oriol, from Latin aureolus golden-colored, diminutive of aureus golden — more at aureus

Date: 1768

1 : any of various usually brightly colored Old World passerine birds (family Oriolidae and especially genus Oriolus)
2 : any of various New World passerine birds (family Icteridae and especially genus Icterus) of which the males are usually black and yellow or black and orange

[oriole illustration]