lapwing

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lap·wing

(lăp′wĭng′)

Any of several medium-sized shorebirds of the widely distributed genus Vanellus, having distinctive deep wing beats, especially the northern lapwing.

[By folk etymology from Middle English lapwink, hoopoe, lapwing, from Old English hlēapewince : hlēapan, to leap + *wincan, to waver.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

lapwing

(ˈlæpˌwɪŋ)

(Animals) any of several plovers of the genus Vanellus, esp V. vanellus, typically having a crested head, wattles, and spurs. Also called: green plover, pewit or peewit

[C17: altered form of Old English hlēapewince plover, from hlēapan to leap + wincian to jerk, wink¹]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

lap•wing

(ˈlæpˌwɪŋ)

n.

any of several large plovers of the genus Vanellus, esp. V. vanellus, of Eurasia and N Africa, having a long, upcurved crest, an erratic, flopping flight, and a shrill cry.

[before 1050; Middle English, variant (by association with wing) of lapwinke]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun

lapwing - large crested Old World plover having wattles and spurs

green plover, peewit, pewit

plover - any of numerous chiefly shorebirds of relatively compact build having straight bills and large pointed wings; closely related to the sandpipers

genus Vanellus, Vanellus - Eurasian lapwings

Translations

pavoncella

lapwing

[ˈlæpwɪŋ] N → avefría f

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

lapwing

n → Kiebitz m

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

lapwing

[ˈlæpˌwɪŋ] n → pavoncella

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

References in classic literature ?

And here is a moor-cock's; and this - I should know it among a thousand - it's a lapwing's.

View in context

He knew that "a lapwing runs close by the ground," that choughs are "russet-pated." He knew all the beauty that is to be found throughout the country year.

View in context

Masked Lapwings Vanellus miles inhabit both urban and rural areas on Phillip Island, southern Victoria, Australia (Cardilini et al.

Higher rates of non-breeding territory occupancy of urban compared with rural Masked Lapwings Vanellus miles on Phillip Island, Victoria

Amongst the issues addressed in the one-off special was the impact of farming and increased human activity on the number of lapwings in the country.

Vanishing wildlife of Wales; Documentary shows heatbreaking decline

Both these birds may be described as "iconic" and indeed, it is doubtful if any bird can quite match the exuberant displays that characterise the arrival of lapwings in these inland areas in springtime.

Seeds of change might aid dwindling species; Country view

The species Mr Beg recorded in DHA Phase 8 included the yellow-wattled lapwings and the grey Francolin teetar.

'Bird habitats in DHA Phase 8 need to be protected'

The lapwings have returned to Ravenseat for the second time this year.

Lambs? It's about mud, mud more.. THE YORKSHIRE SHEPHERDESS

He regularly invites parties of schoolchildren to his farm to learn about the work with lapwings.

Award-winning Alun is a community champion

Lorna Baggett, people and wildlife officer at Parc Slip said: "We know that Lapwings are in trouble - their habitat is depleted and their numbers are dwindling because they are failing to successfully raise any chicks.

Rafts could bring new hope for Lapwings

"I am not sure why Scoter remained unexplained," said Ray Reedman, author of Lapwings, Loons and Lousy Jacks: The How & Why of Bird Names.

The Meaning Behind the Last Unexplained Name of a British Bird is Finally Revealed in New Book from Independent Publisher Pelagic Publishing

Our lapwings risk extinction I WRITE in response to the letter by R Betteridge (Mail, February 28) headlined 'I wish lapwings would come back'.