Main Entry:

¹stilt

Pronunciation:

\ˈstilt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English stilte; akin to Old High German stelza stilt

Date:

15th century

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 level2plural 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