† ˈmattagess Obs.
Also 6 matagasse, 7 matagesse.
[a. southern Fr. matagasse, a. Pr. *matagassa lit. ‘magpie-killer’, f. mata-r to kill + agassa magpie (see haggess).]
A butcher-bird, Lanius excubitor.
| 1575 Turberv. Faulconrie 72 Though the Matagasse be a hawke of none accompte or price neyther with us in any use. 1678 Ray Willughby's Ornith. 85 The Matagesse or great Butcherbird. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v., The word Mattagess is borrowed from the Savoyards, and signifies the murdering pye. |