frigate bird

or frigate·bird

noun

1. any of several predacious seabirds of the genus Fregata, having fully webbed feet.

frigate bird

noun

1. any bird of the genus Fregata and family Fregatidae , of tropical and subtropical seas, having a long bill with a downturned tip, a wide wingspan, and a forked tail: order Pelecaniformes (pelicans, cormorants, etc) Also calledman-of-war bird

Word History and Origins

Origin of frigate bird¹

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

One time a great frigate bird perched on a curtain rod and ballooned its ruby red throat up to the size of an elephant’s goiter.

From Outside Online

The humming-bird represents the perfection of one method, the frigate bird of the other, and in his own line each is unrivaled.

From Project Gutenberg

Even the living frigate bird blends the early joints of the backbone into a compact mass like a sacrum.

From Project Gutenberg

All day they skimmed like a frigate bird across the face of Canada, at an altitude of about two thousand feet.

From Project Gutenberg

He concluded the lesson by descending a dizzy flight of ledges to rob the nest of a frigate bird.

From Project Gutenberg

But these birds and the frigate bird are sea and ocean species, and, with rare exceptions, are able to rest upon the waters.

From Project Gutenberg