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crossbill
noun
cross·bill
ˈkrȯs-ˌbil
: any of a genus (Loxia of the family Fringillidae) of finches with curved mandibles that cross each other
Examples of crossbill in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Modest numbers of red crossbills at the Montague Sandplains Wildlife Management Area in Montague where at least 33 were tallied.
—BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023
At Birch Hill Wildlife Management Area in Winchendon three acadian flycatchers and 28 red crossbills were counted, and five evening grosbeaks were present in Royalston.
—BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023
Worcester County: Four sandhill cranes on Hall Road in Hardwick and eight red crossbills at gate 43 at Quabbin Reservoir in Hardwick.
—BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023
In addition, scattered small flocks of red crossbills continue to be reported from a number of localities in western parts of the state.
—BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2023
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Word History
First Known Use
circa 1672, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near crossbill
Cite this Entry
“Crossbill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crossbill. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
crossbill
noun
cross·bill
-ˌbil
: any of a genus of finches with the upper and lower parts of the bill curved so that they cross each other when the bill is closed
Legal Definition
cross bill
see bill sense 3a
More from Merriam-Webster on crossbill
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crossbill
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