shearbill

shearbill
Skimmer Skim"mer, n. 1. One who, or that which, skims; esp., a utensil with which liquids are skimmed. [1913 Webster]

2. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of longwinged marine birds of the genus {Rhynchops}, allied to the terns, but having the lower mandible compressed and much longer than the upper one. These birds fly rapidly along the surface of the water, with the lower mandible immersed, thus skimming out small fishes. The American species ({R. nigra}) is common on the southern coasts of the United States. Called also {scissorbill}, and {shearbill}. [1913 Webster]

3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several large bivalve shells, sometimes used for skimming milk, as the sea clams, and large scallops. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Shearbill — Shear bill , n. (Zo[ o]l.) The black skimmer. See {Skimmer}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • shearbill — shear·bill …   English syllables

  • shearbill — ˈshi(ə)rˌbil noun Etymology: translation of French bec en ciseaux : black skimmer …   Useful english dictionary

  • R nigra — Skimmer Skim mer, n. 1. One who, or that which, skims; esp., a utensil with which liquids are skimmed. [1913 Webster] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) Any species of longwinged marine birds of the genus {Rhynchops}, allied to the terns, but having the lower… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • scissorbill — Skimmer Skim mer, n. 1. One who, or that which, skims; esp., a utensil with which liquids are skimmed. [1913 Webster] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) Any species of longwinged marine birds of the genus {Rhynchops}, allied to the terns, but having the lower… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Skimmer — Skim mer, n. 1. One who, or that which, skims; esp., a utensil with which liquids are skimmed. [1913 Webster] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) Any species of longwinged marine birds of the genus {Rhynchops}, allied to the terns, but having the lower mandible… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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