snakebird

snakebird
Wryneck Wry"neck, n. (Med.) [1913 Webster] 1. A twisted or distorted neck; a deformity in which the neck is drawn to one side by a rigid contraction of one of the muscles of the neck; torticollis. [1913 Webster]

2. a person suffering from torticollis. [PJC]

3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of Old World birds of the genus {Jynx} or subfamily {Jynginae}, allied to the woodpeckers; especially, the common European species ({Jynx torguilla}); -- so called from its habit of turning the neck around in different directions. Called also {cuckoo's mate}, {snakebird}, {summer bird}, {tonguebird}, and {writheneck}. [1913 Webster +PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Snakebird — Snake bird , n. [So named from its snakelike neck.] (Zo[ o]l.) 1. Any one of four species of aquatic birds of the genus {Anhinga} or {Plotus}. They are allied to the gannets and cormorants, but have very long, slender, flexible necks, and sharp… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • snakebird — ☆ snakebird [snāk′bʉrd΄ ] n. ANHINGA …   English World dictionary

  • Snakebird — The term Snakebird can refer to:* The Anhinga * The African Darter * The Oriental Darter * Or the family to which these birds belong, Darters …   Wikipedia

  • snakebird — /snayk berrd /, n. anhinga. [1785 95, Amer.; SNAKE + BIRD] * * * ▪ bird also called  Darter, or Anhinga,    any bird of the family Anhingidae (order Pelecaniformes), sometimes regarded as a single species, Anhinga anhinga, with geographical… …   Universalium

  • snakebird — noun Date: 1791 anhinga …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • snakebird — noun another term for darter (in sense 1) …   English new terms dictionary

  • snakebird — snake•bird [[t]ˈsneɪkˌbɜrd[/t]] n. orn anhinga • Etymology: 1785–95, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • snakebird — /ˈsneɪkbɜd / (say snaykberd) noun → darter (def. 2) …  

  • snakebird — noun fish eating bird of warm inland waters having a long flexible neck and slender sharp pointed bill • Syn: ↑anhinga, ↑darter • Hypernyms: ↑pelecaniform seabird • Hyponyms: ↑water turkey, ↑Anhinga anhinga …   Useful english dictionary

  • Anhinga anhinga — Snakebird Snake bird , n. [So named from its snakelike neck.] (Zo[ o]l.) 1. Any one of four species of aquatic birds of the genus {Anhinga} or {Plotus}. They are allied to the gannets and cormorants, but have very long, slender, flexible necks,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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