stone curlew

noun

1
: a large-headed and large-eyed bird of the family Burhinidae that is somewhat nocturnal, frequents both open heaths and rocky shores, is widely distributed in the Old World and tropical America, and in some areas is highly regarded as a game bird

called also thick-knee

2
dialectal, England : common curlew
3
South : willet

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near stone curlew

Cite this Entry

“Stone curlew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stone%20curlew. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!