Meaning of ortolan | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A small European migratory bunting (Emberiza hortulana), once eaten whole as a delicacy.
2. Any of various similar birds, especially the bobolink, sora, or snow bunting.
   US
3. The greater short-toed lark (Calandrella brachydactyla).

Equivalents

Examples

“[…]this taught him to consider⟳ Sophia as a most delicious morsel, indeed to regard her with the same desires which an ortolan inspires into the soul of an epicure.”

“[…]the last⟳ flavor Mitterrand wished to savor belonged to the flesh of the endangered ortolan, a songbird the size of a human toe that is a crime to buy⟳ or hunt, and is certainly illegal to eat⟳. Mitterrand devoured it in the traditional manner, first covering his head with an embroidered cloth, then inserting the entire bird into his mouth.[…]Only its head should dangle out from between your lips. Bite⟳ off the head and discard.”

CEFR level