stilt

¹stilt

noun \ˈstilt\

Definition of STILT

1

a : one of two poles each with a rest or strap for the foot used to elevate the wearer above the ground in walking

b : a pile or post serving as one of the supports of a structure above ground or water level

2

plural also stilt : any of several very long-legged 3-toed shorebirds (genera Himantopus and Cladorhynchus) that are related to the avocets, frequent inland ponds and marshes, and nest in small colonies

Examples of STILT

1. a circus performer walking on stilts

Origin of STILT

Middle English stilte; akin to Old High German stelza stilt

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with STILT

built, gilt, guilt, hilt, jilt, kilt, lilt, milt, quilt, silt, tilt, wilt

²stilt

transitive verb

Definition of STILT

: to raise on or as if on stilts

First Known Use of STILT

1649

stilt

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Black-necked stilt (Himantopus himantopus mexicanus)—G.W. Robinson/Root Resources

Any of certain species of shorebirds (family Recurvirostridae) that have long thin legs and a long slender bill and inhabit warm regions worldwide. Stilts, 14–18 in. (35–45 cm) long, live around ponds, probing in mud and weedy shallows for crustaceans and other small aquatic animals. The common stilt (Himantopus himantopus) is variably black-and-white with pink legs and red eyes.