dabchick

dabchick
Gallinule Gal"li*nule, n. [L. gallinula chicken, dim. of gallina hen: cf. F. gallinule.] (Zo["o]l.) One of several wading birds, having long, webless toes, and a frontal shield, belonging to the family {Rallidae}. They are remarkable for running rapidly over marshes and on floating plants. The purple gallinule of America is {Ionornis Martinica}, that of the Old World is {Porphyrio porphyrio}. The common European gallinule ({Gallinula chloropus}) is also called {moor hen}, {water hen}, {water rail}, {moor coot}, {night bird}, and erroneously {dabchick}. Closely related to it is the Florida gallinule ({Gallinula galeata}). [1913 Webster]

Note: The purple gallinule of Southern Europe and Asia was formerly believed to be able to detect and report adultery, and for that reason, chiefly, it was commonly domesticated by the ancients. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Synonyms:
, , (Podiceps minor)


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dabchick — may refer to: The Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), formerly known as Dabchick. The New Zealand Dabchick or Weweia (Poliocephalus rufopectus). The Dabchick sailing dinghy. People from Aldbourne This disambiguation page lists articles… …   Wikipedia

  • Dabchick — Dab chick (d[a^]b ch[i^]k ), n. [For dabchick. See {Dap}, {Dip}, cf. {Dipchick}.] (Zo[ o]l.) A small water bird ({Podilymbus podiceps}), allied to the grebes, remarkable for its quickness in diving; called also {dapchick}, {dobchick}, {dipchick} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • dabchick — [dab′chik΄] n. [ DAB1 + CHICK: from the manner of diving] 1. the smallest European grebe (Podiceps ruficollis) ☆ 2. PIED BILLED GREBE …   English World dictionary

  • Dabchick (dinghy) — Current Specifications Crew 1 or 2 LOA 3.607 metres (11 ft 10.0 in) Beam 1.150 metres (3 ft 9.3 in) Hull we …   Wikipedia

  • dabchick — noun Etymology: probably irregular from obsolete English dop to dive + English chick Date: circa 1550 any of several small grebes …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • dabchick — /dab chik /, n. any of various small grebes, esp. the little grebe. [1565 75; earlier dapchick (see DAP, CHICK); cf. doppened moorhen (lit., dipping duck)] * * * …   Universalium

  • dabchick — noun popular name for the little grebe …   Wiktionary

  • dabchick — see DEEP …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • dabchick — small grebe Unusual Animals …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • dabchick — n. (Zoology) dobber, type of small grebe …   English contemporary dictionary

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