decurved

American  

[dee-kurvd] / diˈkɜrvd /

adjective

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

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decurved British  

/ diːˈkɜːvd /

adjective

1. bent or curved downwards

   a decurved bill

   decurved petals

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Etymology

Origin of decurved

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

decurved

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 small, robust, much shorter than head, straight to nail, which is decurved; wings long, narrow, second quill longest, slightly exceeding third, first shorter than fourth; tail moderate, slightly rounded; legs moderate, claws rather short.

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

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

Bill slender and much decurved; tail usually pointed and stiffened.

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

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