Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Song \Song\ (?; 115), n. [AS. song, sang, fr. singan to sing;
   akin to D. zang, G. sang, Icel. s["o]ngr, Goeth. sagws. See
   {Sing}.]
   1. That which is sung or uttered with musical modulations of
      the voice, whether of a human being or of a bird, insect,
      etc. ``That most ethereal of all sounds, the song of
      crickets.'' --Hawthorne.

   2. A lyrical poem adapted to vocal music; a ballad.

   3. More generally, any poetical strain; a poem.

            The bard that first adorned our native tongue Tuned
            to his British lyre this ancient song. --Dryden.

   4. Poetical composition; poetry; verse.

            This subject for heroic song.         --Milton.

   5. An object of derision; a laughingstock.

            And now am I their song. yea, I am their byword.
                                                  --Job xxx. 9.

   6. A trifle. ``The soldier's pay is a song.'' --Silliman.

   {Old song}, a trifle; nothing of value. ``I do not intend to
      be thus put off with an old song.'' --Dr. H. More.

   {Song bird} (Zo["o]l.), any singing bird; one of the Oscines.
      

   {Song sparrow} (Zo["o]l.), a very common North American
      sparrow ({Melospiza fasciata}, or {M. melodia}) noted for
      the sweetness of its song in early spring. Its breast is
      covered with dusky brown streaks which form a blotch in
      the center.

   {Song thrush} (Zo["o]l.), a common European thrush ({Turdus
      musicus}), noted for its melodius song; -- called also
      {mavis}, {throsite}, and {thrasher}.

   Syn: Sonnet; ballad; canticle; carol; canzonet; ditty; hymn;
        descant; lay; strain; poesy; verse.

Thrush \Thrush\, n. [OE. [thorn]rusche, AS. [thorn]rysce; akin
   to OHG. drosca, droscea, droscela, and E. throstle. Cf.
   {Throstle}.]
   1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of singing birds
      belonging to {Turdus} and allied genera. They are noted
      for the sweetness of their songs.

   Note: Among the best-known European species are the song
         thrush or throstle ({Turdus musicus}), the missel
         thrush (see under {Missel}), the European redwing, and
         the blackbird. The most important American species are
         the wood thrush ({Turdus mustelinus}), Wilson's thrush
         ({T. fuscescens}), the hermit thrush (see under
         {Hermit}), Swainson's thrush ({T. Alici[ae]}), and the
         migratory thrush, or American robin (see {Robin}).

   2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of singing birds
      more or less resembling the true thrushes in appearance or
      habits; as the thunderbird and the American brown thrush
      (or thrasher). See {Brown thrush}.

   {Ant thrush}. See {Ant thrush}, {Breve}, and {Pitta}.

   {Babbling thrush}, any one of numerous species of Asiatic
      timaline birds; -- called also {babbler}.

   {Fruit thrush}, any species of bulbul.

   {Shrike thrush}. See under {Shrike}.

   {Stone thrush}, the missel thrush; -- said to be so called
      from its marbled breast.

   {Thrush nightingale}. See {Nightingale}, 2.

   {Thrush tit}, any one of several species of Asiatic singing
      birds of the genus {Cochoa}. They are beautifully colored
      birds allied to the tits, but resembling thrushes in size
      and habits.

   {Water thrush}.
      (a) The European dipper.
      (b) An American warbler ({Seiurus Noveboracensis}).

Mavis \Ma"vis\ (m[=a]"v[i^]s), n. [F. mauvis, Arm. milvid,
   milfid, milc'hhouid, Corn. melhuez.] (Zo["o]l.)
   The European throstle or song thrush ({Turdus musicus}).