willet

[ wil-it ]

noun

, plural wil·lets, (especially collectively) wil·let.

1. a large, eastern North American shorebird, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus, having a striking black and white wing pattern.

willet

/ ˈwɪlɪt /

noun

1. a large American shore bird, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus, having a long stout bill, long legs, and a grey plumage with black-and-white wings: family Scolopacidae (sandpipers, etc), order Charadriiformes

Word History and Origins

Origin of willet¹

1700–10, Americanism; short for pill-will-willet, conventional imitative of its cry

Word History and Origins

Origin of willet¹

short for pill-will-willet imitation of its cry

Example Sentences

We revelled in its resemblance, or its fancied resemblance to the famous old hostelry kept by old John Willet.

From Project Gutenberg

The willet, or stone curlew as it is sometimes called, is a resident species, breeding from Washington to Mexico.

From Project Gutenberg

Grandmamma would hardly let me pick up my kerchief, if I dropped it; I had to call Willet, her woman, to give it to me.

From Project Gutenberg

He had a twin brother, Willet, but he died when he was only five months old.

From Project Gutenberg

Ridge and Pitt and Willet streets were quite steep and made splendid coasting places in winter.

From Project Gutenberg