Tiding
noun /ˈtaɪdɪŋ/ — A group of magpies — from the old belief that magpies bring news.
Definition
The collective noun for a group of magpies — named after the folk belief that magpies brought news (tidings), particularly prophetic tidings about fortune and fate.
Beyond the definition
One for sorrow, two for joy — the magpie counting rhyme is ancient and persistent. A tiding of magpies carries with it all of that folklore: the sense that these birds arrive with information, that their number matters, that you should pay attention.
Origin & history
English collective noun tradition. 'Tidings' — news, information — from Old Norse 'tíðindi' (events, news). The magpie was historically a messenger bird; its arrival was read as an omen.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
A tiding of magpies arrived in the garden and she counted them carefully.
She said she saw a tiding that morning — not one, not three, but five.
The collective noun 'tiding' honours everything folklore has said about magpies.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Tiding” when the meaning fits your context: The collective noun for a group of magpies — named after the folk belief that magpies brought news (tidings), particularly prophetic tidings about fortune and fate.
Synonyms
parliament (of magpies), murder (of crows)
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Tiding" mean?
Tiding is noun meaning: A group of magpies — from the old belief that magpies bring news.. The collective noun for a group of magpies — named after the folk belief that magpies brought news (tidings), particularly prophetic tidings about fortune and fate.
Where does the word "Tiding" come from?
English collective noun tradition. 'Tidings' — news, information — from Old Norse 'tíðindi' (events, news). The magpie was historically a messenger bird; its arrival was read as an omen.