Lärk1, n.
n. [O. Eng. leverock, A. S. lāwerce, lāwerc, lūferce, Scot. laverock, larick, lerril, D. leeuwerik, leeuwerik, leeuwerk, leverik, L. Ger. lewerke, N. Fries. liärle, O. H. Ger. lerichā, lerihha, lerahha, M. H. Ger. lerch, leriche, lerche, N. H. Ger. lerche, Sw. lärka, Dan. lärke.]
Sense 1. (Ornith.) A singing passerine bird, characterized by having a long, straight hind claw, and a rather long bill. It is generally crested. The sky lark (or lark of the poets) is the Alauda arvensis of the eastern continent. It is of a dark-brown and mottled color, builds its nest in fields, and sings as it rises almost perpendicularly in the air. It is considered a table delicacy. The American lark is the Eremophila cornuta.
Sense 2. A sport or piece of merriment; a frolic; a jolly time. [Colloq.] “What larks?” Dickens.
It will be a good lark though. T. Hughes.
