saw-whet owl
[ saw-hwet, -wet ]
/ ˈsɔˌʰwɛt, -ˌwɛt /
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noun
a very small North American owl, Aegolius acadicus, having streaked, brown plumage and lacking ear tufts.
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Origin of saw-whet owl
An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; allegedly so called because its cry was likened to the noise of a saw being whetted
Words nearby saw-whet owl
saw set, sawtimber, sawtooth, saw-toothed, sawtooth roof, saw-whet owl, saw-wort, sawyer, sax, saxatile, Saxe
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021