saw-whet owl
[ saw-hwet, -wet ]
noun
a very small North American owl, Aegolius acadicus, having streaked, brown plumage and lacking ear tufts.
Origin of saw-whet owl
1An 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use saw-whet owl in a sentence
The funny little saw-whet owl is one, and the snowflake, who loves to frolic in the snow, is another.
The Children's Book of Birds | Olive Thorne Miller
Browse