curlew
[ kur-loo ]
/ ˈkɜr lu /
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noun
any of several shorebirds of the genus Numenius, having a long, slender, downcurved bill, as the common N. arquata, of Europe.
any of various similar birds.
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Origin of curlew
1300–50; Middle English <Anglo-French curleu, cognate with Middle French corleu; perhaps imitative
Words nearby curlew
Curitiba, curium, curl, curled paperwork, curler, curlew, curlew sandpiper, Curley, curli, curlicue, curling
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for curlew
curlew
/ (ˈkɜːljuː) /
noun
any large shore bird of the genus Numenius, such as N. arquata of Europe and Asia: family Scolopacidae (sandpipers, etc), order Charadriiformes. They have a long downward-curving bill and occur in northern and arctic regionsCompare stone curlew
Word Origin for curlew
C14: from Old French corlieu, perhaps of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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