yellowlegs

[ yel-oh-legz ]

noun

, (used with a singular verb)

1. either of two American shorebirds having yellow legs, Tringa melanoleuca greater yellowlegs or T. flavipes lesser yellowlegs.

yellowlegs

/ ˈjɛləʊˌlɛɡz /

noun

1. functioning as singular either of two North American sandpipers, Tringa melanoleuca (or Totanus melanoleucus ) ( greater yellowlegs ) or T. flavipes ( lesser yellowlegs ), having bright yellow legs

Word History and Origins

Origin of yellowlegs¹

1765–75, Americanism; yellow + legs ( def )

Example Sentences

The Greater Yellowlegs is an uncommon spring and probably fall migrant in Coahuila.

From Project Gutenberg

The Eskimo curlew is decreasing to the danger point, and the Yellowlegs is following.

From Project Gutenberg

Thereupon Dame Yellowlegs stepped out, and began to pose most gracefully.

From Project Gutenberg