tinktinkie, noun

/təŋ(k)ˈtəŋki//tɪŋ(k)ˈtɪŋki/
Forms:
tinc-tinc, ting-tingShow more Also tinc-tinc, ting-ting, tingtingatje, ting-tinkie, tinktinki, tink-tinky, tintinkie, tintinkje.
Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Afrikaans, echoic.
Any of numerous species of cisticolas (grass warblers) of the Sylviidae, small birds with distinctive calls; tinky. See also pinc-pinc.
1874 J.M. Orpen in Folklore (1919) XXX. 146Another bird called tinktinki, quinqininyq in Bushman.
[1884 Layard & Sharpe Birds of S. Afr. 279This little species..is called Ting-ting by the Dutch colonists.]
1908 F.C. Slater Sunburnt South 186The little mouse-coloured tinktinkie, which as you know is the smallest of all birds, is a most mischievous little creature.
1913 J.J. Doke Secret City 78In the thicket of quince behind the summerhouse the Cape robin, the tintinkje, the spotted rooikop, and the more fragile swi built their nests.
1924 D. Fairbridge Gardens of S. Afr. 98The Grass Warbler, the perky Tingtingatje, is equally useful, being mainly an insect feeder.
1929 F.C. Slater Sel. Poems (1947) 117Tiny tinktinkies famed in nursery story.
1940 Baumann & Bright Lost Republic 234There is a sweet little bird called a ting-tinkie. He is so small that you could put three, or even four, into your small pocket; his colour is bright green, and he has big round eyes.
1956 A.G. McRae Hill Called Grazing 24Big birds and small birds, from huge vultures..to the tiniest tink-tinkies piping their thin little reeds of song.
1973 Evening Post 28 Apr. 3The variety is overwhelming — from the tiniest tintinkie, honey bird or king fisher to the awesome albatross and the ungainly ostrich.
Any of numerous species of cisticolas (grass warblers) of the Sylviidae, small birds with distinctive calls; tinky.
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Afrikaans
ting, nounn.tinky, nounn.
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