dickybird

Thân thiện

A little dickybird is perched on the garden fence.

Definition

Noun: 1. A small bird: A term, often used in a childish or affectionate manner, to refer to a small bird. It is frequently employed by adults when speaking to young children. 2. (Informal, dated) A word; a sound or note: In very informal or dated slang, it can refer to a single word or sound, as in the phrase "not a dickybird" meaning complete silence or no communication at all.

Examples

• Noun (small bird):

  • Look at the little dickybird on the fence!
  • Can you hear the dickybird singing?

• Noun (word/sound):

  • I haven't heard a dickybird from him since he left. (Meaning: I haven't heard any news/communication from him.)
  • She promised to call, but I haven't heard a dickybird.

Advanced Usage

• "Not a dickybird": An idiomatic expression meaning absolute silence or a complete lack of news or information.
  • I asked him what happened, but I got not a dickybird.
  • The suspect hasn't said a dickybird to the police.

Variants and Related Words

• Dickeybird: An alternative, equally common spelling of the word.
• Birdie: A more common modern diminutive for a small bird, especially with children.

Synonyms

• Birdie (for the "small bird" meaning)
• Tweetie (informal, childish)
• Peep (for a sound, informal)
• Word (for the "sound/note" meaning)

Related Idioms

• Not a dickybird: As detailed above, this is the primary idiom associated with this word, emphasizing a total absence of sound or communication.

Học thuật

Noun

1. small bird; adults talking to children sometimes use these words to refer to small birds

Từ đồng nghĩa

• dickeybird
• dickey-bird
• dicky-bird