Webster's English Dictionary

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pheasant

pheas.ant \'fez-*nt\ n or pheasant or pheasants [ME fesaunt, fr. AF, fr. OF 
   fesan, fr. L phasianus, fr. Gk  pl Xphasianos, fr. phasianos of the Phasis 
   river, fr. Phasis, river in Colchis 1: any of numerous large long-tailed 
   brilliantly colored Old World gallinac eous birds (Phasianus and related 
   genera of the family Phasianidae) many of which are reared as ornamental or 
   game birds 2: any of various birds resembling a pheasant