howlet

[ hou-lit ]

noun

, British Dialect.

1. an owl or owlet.

howlet

/ ˈhaʊlɪt /

noun

1. archaic.
   another word for owl

Word History and Origins

Origin of howlet¹

1425–75; late Middle English; perhaps < French hulotte wood-owl, perhaps derivative of Middle French huler to howl < Germanic; howl

Word History and Origins

Origin of howlet¹

C15: diminutive of howle owl

Example Sentences

Before we succumb to moral outrage we should recall how a "howlet's wing" is added to the witches' broth in act four of Macbeth.

From The Guardian

Parsons, under the lugubrious designation of John Howlet, that is, Owlet, sent forth his “screechings;” and Campian, too confident of his irrefutable “Decem Rationes,” was so imprudent as to publish “A Challenge for a Public Disputation” in the presence of the queen.

From Project Gutenberg

Rowland Burdon, Esq. the Rev. Dr. Glasse, the Rev. Thomas Gisburn, the Rev. Mr. Howlet, Mr. Davis, Mr. Townsend, Arthur Young, Esq. and William Sabatier, Esq. as well as several other respectable living characters, who have particularly turned their thoughts to the subject of the Poor, the Public are not only already much indebted, but from this prolific resource of judgment, talents, and knowledge, much good might be expected, if ever the period shall arrive when the revision of the Poor Laws shall engage the attention of the Legislature.

From Project Gutenberg

All the batteries joined, all the forts, the gunboats in the Appomattox, the batteries west of Bermuda Hundred, and the monitors by the Howlet House.

From Project Gutenberg

"Howlet here, howlet there, Jenny, ye ken weel his auld brass will buy you a new pan."

From Project Gutenberg