Masculine

Eisvogel

Meaning

Concepts

Synonyms

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kingfisher (any of various birds of the suborder Alcedines)

Inherited from Middle High German

Inherited from Old High German

Cognate with Dutch

Cognate with Icelandic

In summary

From Middle High German īsvogel, from Old High German īsfogal; compare Dutch ijsvogel, Icelandic ísfugl. By surface analysis, Eis + Vogel. The former stem, however, is considered to be a variant of Eisen (Old High German īsarn), most likely referring to the green-blue upperparts with pale azure-blue back and rump of the adult bird. But compare parallel Czech ledňáček, Russian леди́нник (ledínnik) akin to Russian лёд (ljod). Also compare parallel Polish zimorodek, Russian зиморо́док (zimoródok), analyzable as akin to зима́ (zimá).