partridge

1. (ornithology) Any bird of a number of genera in the family Phasianidae, notably in the genera Perdix and Alectoris.Examples: "On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me a partridge in a pear tree."; "...and the loudest sound in the lonely fields was when, adventuring too near some late brood, the partridge sought to deceive by a plaintive cry and seeming helplessness, crossing before your very feet, till, when drawn to a sufficient distance, suddenly the air vibrated to the flutter of her active pinions."

2. (uncountable) The flesh or meat of this bird eaten as food.uncountable

3. (obsolete, military) A type of cannon charge composed of several missiles fired all together, similar to langrage or case-shot. Also a large cannon that shoots stones.obsolete