: any of various typically medium-sized stout-bodied Old World gallinaceous birds (Perdix, Alectoris, and related genera) with variegated plumage that are often hunted as game
2
: any of various related birds (such as the American ruffed grouse or bobwhite) resembling the Old World partridges in size, habits, or value as game
Illustration of partridge
partridge 1
Examples of partridge in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebPliny noted that blackbirds, partridges, jays and pigeons also eat bay leaves for digestive problems.—Adrienne Mayor, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2024 About 100,000 birds, including pheasants, chukar, Hungarian and French red-legged partridges, were killed by animal health authorities after the finding.—Journal Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2024 Farther down the hall from the small birds is the raptors’ room, which on this particular day was home to a partridge, a crow, a buzzard, an owl and a greenfinch — all kept in separate, locker-sized cages.—Jess McHugh, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 Whilst wooden partridges and mice, wild greens, and backlit walls fill the open-plan lobby with marble tables, wicker armchairs, shiny handmade pottery, and a vast collection of Penguin books.—Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Menu items include fresh seafood selections and a partridge dish.—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2024 Child learned all manner of dishes during her time at Le Cordon Bleu, including roasted partridges, ratatouille, chocolate ice cream, and her beloved boeuf bourguignon.—Keaton Bell, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2024 Pat beat the brush all around me until, with a great racket, up went a partridge into a tree about 10 yards away.—Outdoor Life, 23 Nov. 2023 In Uruguay, partridge escabeche contains carrots and black peppercorns.—G. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'partridge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English partrich, modification of Anglo-French perdriz, alteration of Old French perdix, from Latin perdic-, perdix, from Greek perdik-, perdix
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