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]