jenny wren
(ˈdʒɛnɪ ˈrɛn)
[See jenny 2.]
1. A popular, and esp. nursery, name for the wren (also locally kitty wren): sometimes regarded in nursery lore as the wife, bride, or sweetheart of Robin Redbreast.
| 1648 Earl Westmoreland Otia Sacra 137 The finch, the sparrow, Jenny Wren. 1828 Craven Dial., Jenny Wren, the wren. An opinion prevails..that this diminutive bird is the female of the Robin Redbreast. 1863 Sat. Rev. 283 He gives up the ripeness of his studies, and the last growth of his artistic skill to our robin red-breasts and jenny wrens. |
2. U.S. A name for Herb Robert, Geranium Robertianum.
| 1890 in Cent. Dict. |