/nuyt"n gayl', nuy"ting-/ , n.
any of several small, Old World, migratory birds of the thrush family, esp. Luscinia megarhynchos, of Europe, noted for the melodious song of the male, given chiefly at night during the breeding season.
[ 1200-50; ME nightyngale, nasalized var. of nightegale, OE nihtegale, c. G Nachtigall, lit., night singer (cf. OE galan sing; akin to YELL) ]