Middle English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Old English māse (titmouse),[1] with probable influence from a North Germanic/Scandinavian language such as Old Norse titlingr (sparrow) or Icelandic tittr (tit, small bird).[2] Tit could be from a base alluding to diminutive size; compare titbit.[3]

Noun

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titmose (plural titmoses)

  1. titmouse
    Synonym: mose

Descendants

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  • English: titmouse

References

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  1. ^ titmouse, n.”, in OED Online  , Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, December 2020.
  2. ^ tit, n4.”, in OED Online  , Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, March 2021.
  3. ^ Sargent, L. C., Potter, S. (1974). Pedigree: The origins of words from nature. United States: Taplinger Publishing Company, p. 141