redbird

plural redbirds

1. CanadaUSAny of several unrelated American songbirds having red plumage.First known use 17th c.

   Then she chanced to look up and catch sight of a redbird in a tree.

   1970, Donald Harington, Lightning Bug

   1. CanadaUSSynonym of red tanager.

      Synonyms: red tanager

   2. CanadaUSSynonym of northern cardinal.

      Synonyms: northern cardinal

2. slangA capsule of secobarbital.First known use 20th c.

   Nearly every pharmaceutical house has its own brands, sold in tablets, solutions or brightly-colored capsules, on which its “detail men” keep doctors informed. Probably the most popular successors to Veronal are Seconal (“red birds” to the bootleg trade) and Nembutal ("yellow jackets").

   1952 October 13, Richard L. Williams, “‘To sleep: perchance…’”, in Life, volume 33, number 15, page 110

   Synonyms: red, red devil

3. Any of various red cars formerly used in the New York City subway system; or a train of such cars.