Lexic.us

Definition of Shearwater

1. Noun. Long-winged oceanic bird that in flight skims close to the waves.

Definition of Shearwater

1. n. Any one of numerous species of long-winged oceanic birds of the genus Puffinus and related genera. They are allied to the petrels, but are larger. The Manx shearwater (P. Anglorum), the dusky shearwater (P. obscurus), and the greater shearwater (P. major), are well-known species of the North Atlantic. See Hagdon.

Definition of Shearwater

1. Noun. Any of various long-winged pelagic seabirds in the genera ''Calonectris'' or ''Puffinus'', of the family ''Procellariidae'', that breed on islands and coastal cliffs. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Shearwater

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Shearwater

1. Any one of numerous species of long-winged oceanic birds of the genus Puffinus and related genera. They are allied to the petrels, but are larger. The Manx shearwater (P. Anglorum), the dusky shearwater (P. Obscurus), and the greater shearwater (P. Major), are well-known species of the North Atlantic. See Hagdon. Origin: Shear + water; cf. G. Wassersherer; so called from its running lightly along the surface of the water. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Shearwater

Literary usage of Shearwater

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A History of British Birds by William Yarrell, Alfred Newton, Howard Saunders (1884)
"THE SOOTY shearwater. THE SOOTY shearwater represented by the upper figure in the woodcut at the head of the preceding species, is a more frequent visitor ..."

2. The Auk: Quarterly Journal of Ornithology by American Ornithologists' Union, Nuttall Ornithological Club (1900)
"The above is a description of a shearwater obtained by Mr. M. Newell of Hilo (Brother Matthias of the Catholic Brotherhood) in Waihee Valley, ..."

3. Illustrations of British Ornithology by Prideaux John Selby (1833)
"Middle and outer toes two inches and a half in length. MANKS shearwater. ... shearwater Petrel, Pom. Br. Zool 2. 551. No. 258—Arct . Zool 2. 462. 13. 226. ..."

4. A History of British Birds by Thomas Bewick, Ralph Beilby, Henry Cotes (1816)
"THE shearwater. SKRABE, MANKS PETREL, MANKS PUFFIN, OR LYRE. ... The shearwater is found in greater or smaller numbers in almost every part of the watery ..."

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