dabchick

[ dab-chik ]

noun

1. any of various small grebes, especially the little grebe.

dabchick

/ ˈdæbˌtʃɪk /

noun

1. any of several small grebes of the genera Podiceps and Podilymbus, such as Podiceps ruficollis of the Old World

Word History and Origins

Origin of dabchick¹

1565–75; earlier dapchick ( dap, chick ); compare doppened moorhen (literally, dipping duck)

Word History and Origins

Origin of dabchick¹

C16: probably from Old English dop to dive + chick ; see deep , dip

Example Sentences

As he spoke he bobbed and dipped like a dabchick or little grebe.

From Literature

The dabchick, a slender bird, haunts the pond here too, diving even more quickly than the moorhen.

From Project Gutenberg

She was a pretty girl herself, in the florid, barmaid style, but as different a creature to Lilian Strange as a plump dabchick to an Arctic tern.

From Project Gutenberg

He thought of a dabchick that hides so cleverly no one can put it up— then, suddenly, is there, close at hand.

From Project Gutenberg

The place was nested in woods and water, like a dabchick's nest, yet for all that comfortable and fair to see with its lawns and greenery set about it.

From Project Gutenberg