lapwing

[lap-wing]

noun

1. a large Old World plover, Vanellus vanellus, having a long, slender, upcurved crest, an erratic, flapping flight, and a shrill cry.

2. any of several similar, related plovers.

lapwing

/ ˈlæpˌwɪŋ /

noun

1. Also called: green plover.  pewit.  peewit. any of several plovers of the genus Vanellus, esp V. vanellus, typically having a crested head, wattles, and spurs

Word History and Origins

Origin of lapwing¹

before 1050; Middle English, variant (by association with wing ) of lapwinke, Old English hlēapwince plover. See leap, wink ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lapwing¹

C17: altered form of Old English hlēapewince plover, from hlēapan to _leap + wincian to jerk, _wink ¹

Example Sentences

He swings the car round, exclaiming: "You don't normally see them here at this time of the year. They and the lapwings are usually gone by now."

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That diversity is reflected in the national birds chosen to represent the countries of Latin America, from the slight southern lapwing — Uruguay’s avian symbol — to the 30-pound Andean condor, the national bird of four countries.

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It was hoped species such as lapwing, redshank and woodcock would find a haven in the wet woodland, while otters and water voles would use the restored network of waterways as corridors and breeding habitat.

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It has 20% of the UK's hen harriers, 11% of its breeding seabirds and vital populations of curlew, lapwing, and oystercatcher.

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A major part of the scheme has been to "re-naturalise" the River Sherford, creating a wetland which now hosts lapwing, golden plover and common snipe.

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