turnstone

[ turn-stohn ]

noun
  1. any shorebird of the genus Arenaria, characterized by the habit of turning over stones in search of food.

  2. British. ruddy turnstone.

Origin of turnstone

1
First recorded in 1665–75; turn + stone

Words Nearby turnstone

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How to use turnstone in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for turnstone

turnstone

/ (ˈtɜːnˌstəʊn) /


noun
  1. either of two shore birds of the genus Arenaria, esp A. interpres (ruddy turnstone). They are related and similar to plovers and sandpipers

Origin of turnstone

1
C17: so called because it turns over stones in search of food

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