Main Entry:

pheas·ant

Pronunciation:

\ˈfe-z^ənt\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural pheasant or pheasants

Etymology:

Middle English fesaunt, from Anglo-French fesant, faisan, from Latin phasianus, from Greek (ornis) phasianos, from phasianos of the Phasis River, from Phasis, river in Colchis

Date:

13th century

1 : any of numerous large often long-tailed and brightly colored Old World gallinaceous birds (Phasianus and related genera of the family Phasianidae) including many raised as ornamental or game birds — compare ring-necked pheasant 2 : any of various birds resembling a pheasant