curlew
[kur-loo]
- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
grouse, quail, curlew, partridge, pheasant, plover, sandpiper, snipe, wildfowl, woodcockExamples from the Web for curlew
Historical Examples
At that instant the curlew shot over her head with its deep, mournful cry.
A Son of HagarSir Hall Caine
"The Curlew" dashed forward, rising and falling with the swells.
Left on LabradorCharles Asbury Stephens
It was at once set; and "The Curlew" started on in the wake of the shower.
Left on LabradorCharles Asbury Stephens
It ain't as if 'The Curlew' was loaded down, and lay low in the water.
Left on LabradorCharles Asbury Stephens
Then silence again, save for the long-drawn wail of a curlew.
The Call Of The SouthLouis Becke
curlew
- 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
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French corlieu, perhaps of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for curlew
n.
mid-14c., from Old French courlieu (13c., Modern French courlis), said to be imitative of the bird's cry but apparently assimilated with corliu "runner, messenger," from corre "to run" (see current (adj.)). The bird is a good runner.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper