n. 1. A little king; a weak or insignificant king. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Zool.) Any one of several species of small singing birds of the genus Regulus and family Sylviidæ. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ The golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa), and the rubycrowned kinglet (Regulus calendula), are the most common American species. The common English kinglet (Regulus cristatus) is also called golden-crested wren, moonie, and marigold finch. The kinglets are often popularly called wrens, both in America and England. |