dabchick

American  

[dab-chik] / ˈdæbˌtʃɪk /

noun

1. any of various small grebes, especially the little grebe.

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dabchick British  

/ ˈdæbˌtʃɪk /

noun

1. any of several small grebes of the genera Podiceps and Podilymbus, such as Podiceps ruficollis of the Old World

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Etymology

Origin of dabchick

1565–75; earlier dapchick ( see dap, chick); compare doppened moorhen (literally, dipping duck)

Example Sentences

As he spoke he bobbed and dipped like a dabchick or little grebe.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Hardly a wild-duck is now seen; one or two moorhens or a dabchick seem all.

From The Life of the Fields by Jefferies, Richard

The most expert waterman that sculls his skiff on the Thames or Isis, is but an humble and unskillful imitator of the dabchick.

From Love's Meinie Three Lectures on Greek and English Birds by Ruskin, John

Uncle Jack obeyed, while as Norman looked up, he saw himself apparently covered by the two guns, and at once dived like a dabchick.

From The Dingo Boys The Squatters of Wallaby Range by Stacey, W. S. (Walter S.)

If the kingfisher can find a living and abundant fish in our rivers and brooks, why does the dabchick migrate?

From The Naturalist on the Thames by Cornish, C. J. (Charles John)