How Do You Spell ELSTER?

Pronunciation: [ˈɛlstə] (IPA)

The word "elster" is a common name for the Eurasian magpie. It is spelled as /ˈɛlstər/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The initial sound, /ɛl/, is pronounced with an open-mid front unrounded vowel followed by an /l/ sound. The final sound, /stər/, is pronounced with a voiceless alveolar sibilant followed by an unstressed schwa sound. The spelling of "elster" reflects the Germanic origin of the word, which is likely related to the term for "magpie" in other Germanic languages such as Dutch and Swedish.

ELSTER Meaning and Definition

1. Elster is a German noun that commonly refers to the animal species known as magpie in English. It is specifically used to describe the Eurasian magpie (Pica pica), a bird from the corvid family that inhabits various regions of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The elster has a distinctive black and white plumage, with a long tail and a relatively robust body. Its wingspan can reach up to 60cm, and it generally feeds on a varied diet that includes insects, small mammals, eggs, grains, and fruits.

   The elster is recognized for its intelligence, adaptability, and vocal abilities. It often delivers a sharp and melodic call, making it a characteristic sound in its natural environment. Some people consider the elster to be an omen of good luck, while others associate it with thievery due to its fondness for shiny objects, a behavior observed in other corvids.

   Moreover, the term "elster" can be used metaphorically to describe a person who is highly observant, clever, and has a knack for acquiring and hoarding certain objects or information. It may connote a sense of resourcefulness or cunning. This figurative use of the word elster generally stems from the perception of the magpie's behavior in folklore and popular culture.

Common Misspellings for ELSTER

• ester
• elsar
• ulster
• allster
• delster
• elater
• wlster
• dlster
• rlster
• 4lster
• 3lster
• ekster
• epster
• eoster
• elzter
• elxter
• eldter
• elwter
• elsrer
• elsfer

Etymology of ELSTER

The word "elster" is derived from the Old High German word "elustar" or "elstern", which can be traced back to the Middle High German form "alstern" or "alstere". This Middle High German term further originated from the Old High German word "alstoro", which meant "magpie". The Proto-Germanic root of "alstoro" is "alstôraz", while the Indo-European origin is the word "el-ster-". The exact etymology of this Indo-European root is uncertain, but it is believed to be related to the idea of "brightness" or "shining". The word "elster" ultimately refers to the black and white bird species known as the European magpie.