peewit

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a northern lapwing, a crested wading bird of open fields and wetlands

   A peewit wheeled over the marsh, calling sharply as we approached its nest.

An imitative name from the bird's characteristic two-note call, entering English in the early sixteenth century. The alternative spelling pewit may also be pronounced with an initial 'pyoo' sound.

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