1. A small Eurasian game bird of the pheasant family, typically with brown plumage and a plump body
   "The partridge scurried into the underbrush"
    
2. [N. Amer, informal] Small game bird of eastern and central North America
   "The partridge called from the field edge";
   - bobwhite, bobwhite quail
    
3. [N. Amer, informal] A North American game bird with dark neck ruffs, found in woodlands
   "The partridge drummed its wings while perched on a fallen log";
   - ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus

Derived forms: partridges

Type of: grouse, phasianid, quail

Part of: Bonasa, Colinus, covey, genus Bonasa, genus Colinus, Perdicidae, Perdicinae, subfamily Perdicidae, subfamily Perdicinae

Encyclopedia: Partridge, Kentucky