A type of songbird with a reddish-brown back and spotted breast, known for its beautiful singing.
From Middle English and Old French 'mauvis,' possibly derived from Scandinavian roots. The bird was named for its melodious song, and the name became associated with musical talent and beauty.
Medieval poets used 'mavis' as a metaphor for skilled singers and musicians—if someone sang beautifully, they sang 'like a mavis.' The word bridges nature and human artistry in unexpected ways.
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