Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- Having the wings marked as if with letters: specifically said of a kite, Elanus scriptus.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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In their wake, many birds of prey, most notably the largely nocturnal letter-winged kite (Elanus scriptus) also reach unusually high population densities and extend their geographic range well beyond their normal center in the Mitchell Grass Downs.
Mitchell grass downs 2007
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In 1992, an upsurge of feral cats in the Diamantina region of western Queensland threatened native fauna, including the letter-winged kite.
Creative Loafing Atlanta Cecil Adams 2010
yarb commented on the word letter-winged
Sounds like a Homeric epithet:
'Odysseus, letter-winged, crafty in colloquy, spoke to the suitors thus...'
January 8, 2008
reesetee commented on the word letter-winged
Haha! That's pretty much what I was thinking too, yarb. Then I thought, "But which letter?" Turns out it's a W. Here's a photo of the lovely bird in question.
January 8, 2008