aberdevine

The story

1. Welsh · derived fromaderyn
2. English todayaberdevine

Attested since the mid 1700s, of obscure origin. Richard Coates suggests that it may derive from Welsh aderyn and draenog with substantial phonological modifications. (The alternative form aber-de-vine shows re-interpretation as a French compound with de.)

First known use, by meaning

• mid-18th c. The Eurasian siskin or spruce siskin, Spinus spinus, a small green and yellow finch related to the goldfinch.