petrel

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a long-winged oceanic seabird of the order Procellariiformes, often seen skimming close to the waves

   A storm petrel skimmed the dark water beside the ship.

From earlier English pitteral or similar forms. The spelling was traditionally associated with Saint Peter, because the bird's habit of pattering over the sea was likened to Peter walking on water, although the precise historical derivation is uncertain.

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