Pipit
/ˈpɪpɪt/noun
A small songbird of the wagtail family, typically found in open country.
Did you know?Pipit comes through French from a Latin verb meaning “to chirp” or “to peep,” making its name an example of sound-based naming rather than symbolism or folklore.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Latin
Latin
pipīre
“To chirp, peep, or make a small birdlike sound”
Late Latin
Latin
pipio
“A young bird or a creature making a chirping sound”
Medieval French
Old French
pipit
“A small bird, named in imitation of its call”
18th Century
French
pipit
“The name of a small songbird”
1774
English
pipit
“A small songbird, especially one of the wagtail family”
Modern English
English
pipit
“Any of various slender, ground-feeding songbirds of the genus Anthus”