saw-whet owl

[ saw-hwet, -wet ]

noun

1. a very small North American owl, Aegolius acadicus, having streaked, brown plumage and lacking ear tufts.

Word History and Origins

Origin of saw-whet owl¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; allegedly so called because its cry was likened to the noise of a saw being whetted

Example Sentences

The funny little saw-whet owl is one, and the snowflake, who loves to frolic in the snow, is another.

From Project Gutenberg