poor-will

[ poor-wil ]

noun

1. a goatsucker, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii, of western North America.

Word History and Origins

Origin of poor-will¹

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; imitative

Example Sentences

Variously rendered poor-will, cow-day, pearl-rob-it, puir-whee-er.

From Project Gutenberg

At the same time came the call of the poor-will, which, close at hand, is a soft burring poor-will, poor-wil'-low.

From Project Gutenberg

Poor-will, Dusky, call, 101-102. flycatching, 101.

From Project Gutenberg

Whiṕ-poor-will, whiṕ-poor-will he calls with a snap and a swinging rhythm that makes the twilight ring with the oft-repeated notes.

From Project Gutenberg

Proud were our men as pride of birth could render, As violets our women pure and tender; And when they spoke, their voices’ thrill At evening hushed the whip poor-will, At morn the mocking bird was mute and still, In the land where we were dreaming.

From Project Gutenberg