helldiver

[ hel-dahy-ver ]

noun

1. a grebe, especially the pied-billed grebe.

helldiver

/ ˈhɛlˌdaɪvə /

noun

1. informal.
   a small greyish-brown North American grebe, Podilymbus podiceps, with a small bill Also calledpied-billed grebedabchick

Word History and Origins

Origin of helldiver¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; hell + diver

Example Sentences

Perhaps the most striking is the pied kingfisher, commonly called a helldiver, with its black and white plumage, shaggy topknot and slender beak.

From New York Times

Overhead, 1,200 Hellcat and Corsair fighters, Avenger torpedo planes and Helldiver bombers circled in 12-mile ovals.

From Wall Street Journal

One of the planes, a Curtiss Helldiver dive bomber, developed mechanical trouble and made an emergency landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, a spokeswoman for the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority said.

From Reuters

Oh well, that’s life and death as a Helldiver; however, it took very little time to learn and adapt from my and my son’s mistakes.

From Washington Times

Now, simply going it solo with my Helldiver, also an option, often leads to a sweaty palmed load of frustration.

From Washington Times