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owlest

 - 2 dictionary results

owl

  [oul]
Use owlest in a Sentence
–noun
1. any of numerous, chiefly nocturnal birds of prey, of the order Strigiformes, having a broad head with large, forward-directed eyes that are usually surrounded by disks of modified feathers: many populations are diminishing owing to loss of habitat.
2. one of a breed of domestic pigeons having an owllike appearance.
3. night owl.
4. a person of owllike solemnity or appearance.
–adjective
5. operating late at night or all night: an owl train.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME oule, OE ūle; c. LG ūle, D uil; akin to G Eule, ON ugla

Related forms:
owllike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

owl 
O.E. ule, from P.Gmc. *uwwalon (cf. Du. uil, O.H.G. uwila, Ger. Eule, O.N. ugla), a dim. of root *uwwa, which is imitative of an owl's hoot (cf. L. ulula "owl;" cf. also ululation). The bird was employed proverbially and figuratively in ref. to nocturnal habits, ugliness, and appearance of gravity and wisdom (often ironic).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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