killdeer

[ kil-deer ]

/ ˈkɪlˌdɪər /

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noun

an American plover, Charadrius vociferus, having two black bands around the upper breast.

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Also called killdeer plover.

Origin of killdeer

An Americanism dating back to 1725–35; imitative

Words nearby killdeer

Kilkenny, Kilkenny cats, kill, Killarney, killdee, killdeer, Killeen, killer, killer app, killer application, killer bars

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use killdeer in a sentence

The scout seized "killdeer" in his left hand, and elevating it about his head, he shook it in triumph at his enemies.
The Last of the Mohicans|James Fenimore Cooper
Then a night hawk screamed, a whip-poor-will complained, a belated killdeer swept the sky, and the night wind sang a louder song.
A Girl Of The Limberlost|Gene Stratton Porter
He tore away the ribbon, and knotted it to the stock of Killdeer, which had been the gift of the girl herself.
The Deerslayer|James Fenimore Cooper
The Iroquois on the opposite shore was in the act of aiming when the fatal messenger from Killdeer arrived.
The Pathfinder|James Fenimore Cooper

It is singular that no one speaks; no one returns the fire from the boats; and I have left Killdeer in the block!
The Pathfinder|James Fenimore Cooper

British Dictionary definitions for killdeer

killdeer

/ (ˈkɪlˌdɪə) /

noun plural -deer or -deers

a large brown-and-white North American plover, Charadrius vociferus, with two black breast bands and a noisy cry

Word Origin for killdeer

C18: of imitative origin

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