ˈräbə̇n sometimes -b ə m noun
( -s )
Etymology: in sense 1, short for robin redbreast; in other senses, from Robin, nickname from the name Robert
1.
a. : a small European thrush ( Erithacus rubecola ) resembling a warbler and having a brownish olive back and yellowish red throat and breast — called also redbreast
b. : any of various Old World songbirds (as members of the genera Petroica, Melanodryas, Saxicola, and Saxicoloides ) that are related to or resemble in size, color, or habits the European robin — compare wood robin
c. : a large No. American thrush ( Turdus migratorius ) with olivaceous gray upper parts, blackish head and tail, black and whitish streaked throat, and chiefly dull reddish breast and underparts that often nests in orchard or shade trees close to human habitations and lays pale greenish blue eggs
d. : any of various other American birds — usually used in combination
golden robin
— compare towhee , varied thrush
e. Jamaica : green tody
2. dialect England : any of various plants: as
a. : ragged robin
b. : red campion
c. : herb robert
3. : sea robin