Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
chough [chuhf] ExamplesWord Origin noun
- any of several crowlike Old World birds, especially Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, of Europe.
Origin of chough 1275–1325; Middle English choghe; akin to Old English cēo, Dutch kauw, Danish kaa Examples from the Web for chough Historical Examples of chough
Angelo, the would-be Puritan ruler, was a “false seemer,” Malvolio was a “chough.”
Frank Harris
We were told that to this day no Cornishman likes to shoot a chough or a raven.
An Unsentimental Journey through Cornwall
Dinah Maria Craik
“Now the chough is protected by Act of Parliament,” said Guy.
J. Henry Harris
It is not so easy to see a chough now outside of a “collection.”
J. Henry Harris
“Come and see,” croaked the chough, hopping towards the door.
J. Henry Harris
British Dictionary definitions for chough chough noun
- a large black passerine bird, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, of parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, with a long downward-curving red bill: family Corvidae (crows)
- alpine chough a smaller related bird, Pyrrhocorax graculus, with a shorter yellow bill
Word Origin for chough C14: of uncertain origin; probably related to Old French cauwe, Old English cēo