ortolan Definition
a small, edible bird of the bunting family, traditionally eaten whole while it is still alive and covered in a white cloth to hide the consumer's shame from God.
Using ortolan: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ortolan" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Ortolans were once a popular dish among French gourmets.
Example
The ortolan is now an endangered species and hunting it is illegal.
Example
The tradition of eating ortolans has been banned in France since 1999.
ortolan Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with ortolan
Example
The ortolan bunting is known for its melodious song.
a dish made from the ortolan bird, which involves trapping the bird, force-feeding it, then drowning it in brandy before roasting it and eating it whole
Example
The ortolan delicacy is now illegal in many countries due to animal cruelty concerns.
the seasonal movement of ortolan buntings from their breeding grounds to their wintering grounds
Example
The ortolan migration takes place twice a year, covering thousands of miles.
Origins of ortolan
from French 'horteillon', diminutive of 'horte', meaning 'garden'
Summary: ortolan in Brief
The term 'ortolan' [awr-tl-uh n] refers to a small, edible bird of the bunting family. It is traditionally eaten whole while it is still alive and covered in a white cloth to hide the consumer's shame from God. The ortolan is now an endangered species and hunting it is illegal. The dish made from the ortolan bird, known as the ortolan delicacy, is also illegal in many countries due to animal cruelty concerns.
