Canary
/kəˈnɛr.i/noun
A small songbird native to the Canary Islands, or a pale yellow color named after the bird.
Did you know?The Canary Islands were named from Latin Canaria, meaning “island of dogs,” and the bird’s name was later taken from that island chain, not the other way around.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Rome
Latin
Canariae Insulae
““Dog Islands,” a name for the Canary Islands”
Medieval Latin
Latin
Canaria
“A form referring to the Canary Islands”
15th Century
Spanish
canario
“A native or inhabitant of the Canary Islands; later the bird”
16th Century
French
canari
“A canary bird”
16th Century
English
canary
“The bird, later also the yellow color named after it”