ortolan noun. ['ɔ:t(ǝ)lǝn] E16.
[French from Provençal = gardener, from Latin hortulanus, from hortulus dim. of hortus garden: see -AN.]
1. A gardener. rare. Only in E16.

2. A bunting, Emberiza hortulana, found throughout much of the western Palaearctic, distinguished by the greenish head and yellow throat of the male, and formerly esteemed as a delicacy (also ortolan bunting). Also (US & W. Indies, rare) any of certain other birds of similar gastronomic reputation; esp. (a) the bobolink; (b) the sora rail. M17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲