hobbema: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialist / Technical (ornithology, aviculture)
Quick answer
What does “hobbema” mean?
A general term for a small Australian parakeet (genus Platycercus), especially the eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A general term for a small Australian parakeet (genus Platycercus), especially the eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius).
A brightly coloured parrot native to eastern Australia, often kept as a cage bird; a specific name in ornithology for a member of the rosella group.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally rare in both dialects, used almost exclusively in specialised contexts. No significant dialectal difference exists.
Connotations
Connotes specialist knowledge of birds or historical taxonomy.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; might be encountered in bird-watching guides, old taxonomic lists, or aviculture.
Grammar
How to Use “hobbema” in a Sentence
The [adjective] hobbema [verb].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in zoological and ornithological papers discussing Australian avifauna or historical taxonomy.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation except among bird specialists.
Technical
A specific taxonomic reference, though largely superseded by modern common names like 'eastern rosella'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hobbema”
- Misspelling as 'Hobema' or 'Hobima'.
- Using it as a general term for any parrot.
- Assuming it is a modern standard common name.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic or highly specialist term. 'Eastern rosella' is the standard common name.
Meindert Hobbema was a 17th-century Dutch landscape painter, after whom the bird was named.
Yes, as it is a standardised noun found in dictionaries, it is a valid play.
No, the eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius) is classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.
A general term for a small Australian parakeet (genus Platycercus), especially the eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius).
Hobbema is usually specialist / technical (ornithology, aviculture) in register.
Hobbema: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒbɪmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːbɪmə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the Dutch painter Meindert Hobbema holding a brightly coloured rosella parrot instead of a brush.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LIVING ARTWORK (derived from a painter's name, applied to a vividly coloured bird).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'hobbema'?