grebe

[ greeb ]

noun

1. any diving bird of the family Podicipedidae, related to the loons, but having a rudimentary tail and lobate rather than webbed toes.

grebe

/ ɡriːb /

noun

1. any aquatic bird, such as Podiceps cristatus ( great crested grebe ), of the order Podicipediformes, similar to the divers but with lobate rather than webbed toes and a vestigial tail

Word History and Origins

Origin of grebe¹

First recorded in 1760–70, grebe is from the French word grèbe < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of grebe¹

C18: from French grèbe, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The little grebe or dabchick (Podiceps albipennis) is another species that lays in July or August.

From Project Gutenberg

This is next to the Western Grebe in size, both being larger than any of the others.

From Project Gutenberg

They build a typical Grebe's nest, a floating mass of decayed matter which stains the naturally white eggs to a dirty brown.

From Project Gutenberg

"I have no time for gossiping," mumbled Gaffer Grebe, with his mouth full of building material.

From Project Gutenberg

I doubt if the wild duck, teal, little grebe, and moorhen succeed in rearing many young in this most dangerous water.

From Project Gutenberg