n.
Pronunciation: ' pär-trij, dial ' pa-trij
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural partridge or par · tridg · es
Etymology: Middle English partrich, modification of Anglo-French perdriz, alteration of Old French perdix , from Latin perdic-, perdix, from Greek perdik-, perdix
Date: 14th century
1 : 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 (as the American ruffed grouse or bobwhite) resembling the Old World partridges in size, habits, or value as game