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 ( 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

Spī′der-catch′er, the wall-creeper; Spī′der-crab, a spider-like crab, or sea-spider with long thin legs; Spī′der-dīv′er, the little grebe, or dabchick; Spī′derdom, spiders collectively.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

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

The most expert waterman that sculls his skiff on the Thames or Isis, is but an humble and unskillful imitator of the dabchick.

From Love's Meinie Three Lectures on Greek and English Birds by Ruskin, John

He thought of a dabchick that hides so cleverly no one can put it up— then, suddenly, is there, close at hand.

From The Promise of Air by Blackwood, Algernon