avocet

av·o·cet

noun \ˈa-və-ˌset\

Definition of AVOCET

: any of a genus (Recurvirostra) of rather large long-legged shorebirds with webbed feet and slender upward-curving bill

Illustration of AVOCET

Origin of AVOCET

French & Italian; French avocette, from Italian avocetta

First Known Use: 1766

Rhymes with AVOCET

aiguillette, alphabet, anisette, banneret, basinet, bassinet, bayonet, bobbinet, bouncing bet, briolette, burgonet, calumet, canzonet, castanet, cellarette, chemisette, cigarette, clarinet, Cook Inlet, coronet, corselet, dragonet, dresser set, electret, en brochette, epaulet, Ethernet, etiquette, falconet, farmerette, featurette, flageolet, flannelette, great egret, guillemet, heavyset, jaconet, Joliet, Juliet, kitchenette, landaulet, lanneret, launderette, leatherette, luncheonette, maisonette, majorette, marmoset, marquisette, martinet, mignonette, minaret, minuet, miquelet, netiquette, novelette, oubliette, parapet, paupiette, photoset, pirouette, plasma jet, quodlibet, rondelet, safety net, satinet, scilicet, sermonette, serviette, silhouette, sobriquet, solleret, somerset, Somerset, soviet, space cadet, spinneret, statuette, stockinette, suffragette, superjet, swimmeret, taboret, teacher's pet, thermoset, towelette, trebuchet, tricolette, triple threat, underlet, usherette, vinaigrette, wagonette, web-offset

avocet

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

American avocet (Recurvirostra americana)—Mildred Glueck/Root Resources

Any of several large shorebirds (genus Recurvirostra) with boldly contrasting plumage, long bluish legs, and a long black bill upturned at the tip. Avocets inhabit fresh and salt marshes that have areas of open shallow water and mudflats, and feed by sweeping the partly open bill in the shallows. They often wade together to corral minnows and crustaceans. Four avocet species are found in temperate and tropical regions worldwide. The American avocet is about 18 in. (45 cm) long, including the bill.