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Webster 1913 Edition
Lapwing
Lap′wingˊ
,Noun.
[OE.
lapwynke
, leepwynke
, AS. hleápewince
; hleápan
to leap, jump + (prob.) a word akin to AS. wincian
to wink, E. wink
, AS. wancol
wavering; cf. G. wanken
to stagger, waver. See Leap
, and Wink
.] (Zool.)
A small European bird of the Plover family (
Vanellus cristatus
, or Vanellus vanellus
). It has long and broad wings, and is noted for its rapid, irregular fight, upwards, downwards, and in circles. Its back is coppery or greenish bronze. Its eggs are the “plover’s eggs” of the London market, esteemed a delicacy. It is called also peewit
, dastard plover
, and wype
. The gray lapwing
is the Squatarola cinerea
. Webster 1828 Edition
Lapwing
LAP'WING
,Noun.