lark1
n.
- a songbird with brown streaky plumage, elongated hind claws, and a song that is delivered on the wing.
[Alauda arvensis (skylark) and other species, family Alaudidae.]
▸used in names of similar birds of other families, e.g. meadowlark.
- informal a person who habitually gets up early. Often contrasted with owl.
Phrase
- be up with the lark
Brit. get out of bed very early in the morning.
Etymology
OE lāferce, læwerce; of unknown ultimate origin.
lark2
n.
- an amusing adventure or escapade.
- Brit. an activity regarded as foolish or a waste of time:
he's serious about this music lark.
v.
(
lark about/around)
Brit. behave in a playful and mischievous way.
Derivative
Etymology
C19: perh. from dial. lake ‘play’, but cf. skylark in the same sense, which is recorded earlier.