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.

Simplified etymology

Peewit, recorded from the early 16th century, is an imitative name that echoes the bird’s call.

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.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary