dabchick

American  

[dab-chik] / ˈdæbˌtʃɪk /

noun

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

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dabchick British  

/ ˈdæbˌtʃɪk /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of dabchick

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

Example Sentences

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

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

If the kingfisher can find a living and abundant fish in our rivers and brooks, why does the dabchick migrate?

From The Naturalist on the Thames by Cornish, C. J. (Charles John)

Uncle Jack obeyed, while as Norman looked up, he saw himself apparently covered by the two guns, and at once dived like a dabchick.

From The Dingo Boys The Squatters of Wallaby Range by Stacey, W. S. (Walter S.)

Gwenwynwyn gazed long, of his senses in doubt, To see the grey friar a diver so stout; Then sadly and slowly his castle he sought, And left the friar diving, like dabchick distraught.

From Crotchet Castle by Peacock, Thomas Love

In the hot summer weather he would bathe twenty times a day, and was as much at home in the water as any dabchick.

From Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood by MacDonald, George