/ˈmeɪvɪs/
OriginCoined at the end of the 19th century from mavis, a poetical name for the song thrush.
- A female given name from English.
“"Rather an odd name, Mavis, isn't it?" I at last ventured to observe. "Yes, - but it suits her wonderfully. She sings quite as sweetly as any thrush, so she merits her designation."”
- poeticsong thrush
“At midnight the moon cometh, / And looketh down alone; / Her song the lintwhite swelleth, / The clear voiced mavis dwelleth […]”
Formsmavises(plural)