bird

Universal Words noun 1 a creature that is covered with feathers and has two wings and two legs. Most birds can fly: a bird's nest with two eggs in it * a species of bird * The area has a wealth of bird life. * More than a third of Britain's bird species need urgent protection. seealsoGAMEBIRD, SEABIRD, SONGBIRD, WATERBIRD 2 (BrE, slang, sometimes offensive) a way of referring to a young woman 3 (informal) a person of a particular type, especially sb who is strange or unusual in some way: a wise old bird * She is that rare bird: a politician with a social conscience. IDIOMS be (strictly) for the birds (informal) to not be important or practical the bird has flown the wanted person has escaped a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (saying) it is better to keep sth that you already have than to risk losing it by trying to get much more the birds and the bees (humorous) the basic facts about sex, especially as told to children a bird's-eye view (of sth) a view of sth from a high position looking down: From the plane we had a bird's eye view of Manhattan. birds of a feather (flock together) (saying) people of the same sort (are found together) give sb / get the bird (informal) 1 (BrE) to shout at sb as a sign of disapproval; to be shouted at 2 (AmE) to make a rude sign at sb with your middle finger; to have this sign made at you moreatEARLYadj., KILLv., LITTLEadj.