nightjar

[ nahyt-jahr ]

noun
  1. a nocturnal European bird, Caprimulgus europaeus, of the family Caprimulgidae, having a short bill and a wide mouth and feeding on insects captured in the air.

  2. Also called goatsucker. any other nocturnal or crepuscular bird of the family Caprimulgidae.

Origin of nightjar

1
1620–30; night + jar2 (from its harsh cry)

Words Nearby nightjar

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How to use nightjar in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nightjar

nightjar

/ (ˈnaɪtˌdʒɑː) /


noun
  1. any nocturnal bird of the family Caprimulgidae, esp Caprimulgus europaeus (European nightjar): order Caprimulgiformes. They have a cryptic plumage and large eyes and feed on insects

Origin of nightjar

1
C17: night + jar ², so called from its discordant cry

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