curlew
Use Curlew in a sentence
lu noun
1.
any of several shorebirds of the genus Numenius, having a long, slender, downcurved bill, as the common N. arquata, of Europe.
2.
any of various similar birds.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French curleu, cognate with Middle French corleu; perhaps imitative
1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French curleu, cognate with Middle French corleu; perhaps imitative
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To curlew
Collins
World English Dictionary
curlew (ˈkɜːljuː) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| Compare stone curlew any large shore bird of the genus Numenius, such as N. arquata of Europe and Asia: family Scolopacidae (sandpipers, etc), order Charadriiformes. They have a long downward-curving bill and occur in northern and arctic regions | |
| [C14: from Old French corlieu, perhaps of imitative origin] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Curlew
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
curlew
mid-14c., from O.Fr. courlieus (13c.), said to be imitative of the bird's cry but apparently assimilated with corliu "runner, messenger," from corre "to run" (see current (adj.)). The bird is a good runner.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Curlew density was negatively correlated with height and vertical density of vegetation.
There is one lizard and two waders, namely, a snipe and curlew.
Nearby Words
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