n. 1. A small brownish bunting (Emberiza hortulana) of Eurasia and Africa, eaten as a delicacy. 2. Any of several American birds, such as the bobolink and the sora. [French, from Provençal, gardener, ortolan, from Latin hortulānus, from hortulus, diminutive of hortus, garden; see gher-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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