whimbrel

[ hwim-bruhl, wim- ]

noun

1. a curlew, Numenius phaeopus, of both the New and Old Worlds.

whimbrel

/ ˈwɪmbrəl /

noun

1. a small European curlew, Numenius phaeopus, with a striped head

Word History and Origins

Origin of whimbrel¹

1520–30; whim (perhaps imitative) + intrusive -b- + -rel

Word History and Origins

Origin of whimbrel¹

C16: from dialect whimp or from whimper , alluding to its cry

Example Sentences

On migration the note of the Whimbrel may be described as a shrill hee-hee-hee.

From Project Gutenberg

The croak of the heron and the call of the whimbrel are common speech with him.

From Project Gutenberg

The islands to the west and north of Scotland are the breeding home of the Whimbrel.

From Project Gutenberg

Jack Snipe came tumbling after in a hurry, with a stranger called the Whimbrel and a Puffin out of breath.

From Project Gutenberg