chuck-will's-widow

American  

[chuhk-wilz-wid-oh] / ˈtʃʌk wɪlzˈwɪd oʊ /

noun

1. a goatsucker, Caprimulgus carolinensis, of the southern U.S., resembling the whippoorwill but larger.

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chuck-will's-widow British  

noun

1. a large North American nightjar, Caprimulgus carolinensis, similar to the whippoorwill

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Etymology

Origin of chuck-will's-widow

First recorded in 1785–95; fanciful representation of its incessant call

Example Sentences

In the Southern States a somewhat larger whip-poor-will, but with the same habits, is known as chuck-will's-widow.

From Project Gutenberg

Its song, which is uttered, like that of the whip-poor-will, at night, is a constant repetition of the sound, chuck-will's-widow, very distinctly articulated.

From Project Gutenberg

The chuck-will's-widow, which in the south supplies the place of our whippoorwill, repeated his oft-told tale of "chuck-will's-widow, chuck-will's-widow," with untiring earnestness.

From Project Gutenberg

Among the oaks I walked in the evening, listening to the strange low chant of the chuck-will's-widow, —a name which the owner himself pronounces with a rest after the first syllable.

From Project Gutenberg

The chuck-will's-widow, which in the south supplies the place of our whippoorwill, repeated his oft-told tale of " chuckwill's-widow, chuck-will's-widow," with untiring earnestness.

From Project Gutenberg