peewit

peewit
Lapwing Lap"wing`, n. [OE. lapwynke, leepwynke, AS. hle['a]pewince; hle['a]pan to leap, jump + (prob.) a word akin to AS. wincian to wink, E. wink, AS. wancol wavering; cf. G. wanken to stagger, waver. See {Leap}, and {Wink}.] (Zo["o]l.) A small European bird of the Plover family ({Vanellus cristatus}, or {Vanellus vanellus}). It has long and broad wings, and is noted for its rapid, irregular fight, upwards, downwards, and in circles. Its back is coppery or greenish bronze. Its eggs are the ``plover's eggs'' of the London market, esteemed a delicacy. It is called also {peewit}, {dastard plover}, and {wype}. The {gray lapwing} is the {Squatarola cinerea}. [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • peewit — is the preferred spelling for the name of the bird, not pewit …   Modern English usage

  • peewit — ► NOUN Brit. ▪ the lapwing. ORIGIN imitative of the bird s call …   English terms dictionary

  • peewit — [pē′wit] n. var. of PEWIT …   English World dictionary

  • peewit — UK [ˈpiːwɪt] / US [ˈpɪwɪt] noun [countable] Word forms peewit : singular peewit plural peewits a small black and white European bird …   English dictionary

  • Peewit — Peevit Pee vit, Peewit Pee wit, n. (Zo[ o]l.) See {Pewit}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • peewit — Pewit Pe wit, n. [Prob. of imitative origin; cf. OD. piewit, D. kievit, G. kibitz.] (Zo[ o]l.) (a) The lapwing. (b) The European black headed, or laughing, gull ({Xema ridibundus}). See under {Laughing}. (c) The pewee. [Written also {peevit},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • peewit — /ˈpiwɪt / (say peewit) noun Rare → magpie lark. {imitative of the bird s cry} …  

  • peewit — n. (also pewit) 1 a lapwing. 2 its cry. Etymology: imit. * * * peewit another form of pewit, the lapwing …   Useful english dictionary

  • peewit — also pewit noun Etymology: imitative Date: circa 1529 any of several birds; especially lapwing …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • peewit — /pee wit, pyooh it/, n. pewit. * * * …   Universalium

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