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decurved

American  
[dee-kurvd] / diˈkɜrvd /

adjective

  1. curved downward, as the bill of a bird.


decurved British  
/ diːˈkɜːvd /

adjective

  1. bent or curved downwards

    a decurved bill

    decurved petals

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of decurved

First recorded in 1825–35; de- + curved ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The ducks have vanished, but Dugan discovers a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, and Gallo and Bonomo get two Whimbrels, large, leggy shorebirds with long, decurved bills.

From Scientific American • Sep. 15, 2021

Its short, decurved bill and green cere give it a very peculiar expression, and its almost uniform grey plumage, bearing rounded black spots, is also remarkable.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 2 "Gloss" to "Gordon, Charles George" by Various

Bill moderate, strong, rounded above, compressed towards the tip, which is decurved; nostrils far forward, diagonal, pervious; hind toe very small, scarcely elevated; the middle tail-feathers more or less elongated.

From British Birds in their Haunts by Johns, Rev. C. A.

In front of the brain cavity, the great tubular nasal cavities are provided with well-developed turbinal bones, and are roofed over by large nasals, broad behind, and ending in front in a narrow decurved point.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 6 "Home, Daniel" to "Hortensius, Quintus" by Various

Toes two in front, two behind; bill, short; upper mandible decurved and dentate; tail square; plumage, soft, loose, and generally shining green above.

From Color Key to North American Birds with bibiographical appendix by Chapman, Frank M.

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