crossbill

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   any finch of the genus Loxia whose upper and lower bill tips cross, an adaptation for extracting seeds from conifer cones

   The red crossbill twisted its crossed mandibles between the cone scales to reach the seeds.

2. 2
   noun

   law, chiefly historical: a claim filed by one defendant against another party in the same equity suit

   The defendant filed a crossbill seeking relief concerning the same disputed property.

Formed from cross + bill. The bird is named for its crossed mandible tips. The independent legal sense combines cross, 'opposing or reciprocal,' with bill in its older sense of a formal written petition.

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