Curlew (kûrˈlū), n. [F. courlieu, corlieu, courlis; perh. of imitative origin, but cf. OF. corlieus courier; L. currere to run + levis light.] (Zool.) A wading bird of the genus Numenius, remarkable for its long, slender, curved bill.
[1913 Webster]
☞ The common European curlew is Numenius arquatus. The long-billed (Numenius longirostris), the Hudsonian (Numenius Hudsonicus), and the Eskimo curlew (Numenius borealis, are American species. The name is said to imitate the note of the European species.
[1913 Webster]
Curlew Jack (Zool.) the whimbrel or lesser curlew. -- Curlew sandpiper (Zool.), a sandpiper (Tringa ferruginea or Tringa subarquata), common in Europe, rare in America, resembling a curlew in having a long, curved bill. See Illustation in Appendix.
[1913 Webster]