n.
Pronunciation: ' fe-z ə nt
Function: noun
Inflected Form: 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