Chordeiles

noun

Chor·​dei·​les

kȯrˈdī(ˌ)lēz

: a genus of nocturnal birds (family Caprimulgidae) consisting of the nighthawks

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, irregular from Greek chordē string of a lyre or harp + deilē afternoon, evening: from its cry at twilight

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!