Definitions For Pettychap

Noun

{{en-noun, pettychaps}} Any of several species of small european passerine songbirds, including the willow warbler (phylloscopus trochilus), the chiffchaffs ({{ll, mul, Phylloscopus}} spp.), and the western orphean warbler (sylvia hortensis).

Etymology

{{unc, en}}. Probably {{glossary, imitative}} of the bird’s call, with influence from petty, , small and either chap#Etymology 3, chap, jaw; bill of a bird or chap#Etymology 1, chap, person.{{R:OED Online, pettichaps, n, 141962, March 2020}} Alternatively, perhaps directly from petty (in turn from {{der, en, enm, pety, , tiny}}) and chap#Etymology 3, chaps, jaws.{{R:MWO, pettichaps}} Attested from the 1670s.