ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
: any of numerous Asiatic, East Indian, and African birds of the family Ploceidae that resemble finches in general appearance but have ten instead of nine primaries and that vary widely in habits and coloration but are mostly characterized by their construction of elaborate nests of interlaced grass and other vegetation which are chiefly either pensile with an entrance at the bottom or on the side or large, dome-shaped, and inhabited by many pairs of birds — see avadavat , java sparrow , sociable weaverbird , whydah