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Glite Dictionary
dabchick

dabchick

9.9
A small water bird with a short neck that dives for fish and insects
  • noun
  • /ˈdæbˌtʃɪk/
translation icon : zampullín
  • The dabchick is often seen diving for insects and small fish on quiet European ponds.

Examples

  • Birdwatchers were excited to spot a rare dabchick during their walk along the nature reserve.

  • Look! A dabchick just popped up!

  • During spring, a pair of dabchicks built a floating nest among the reeds.

  • I spotted a dabchick swimming in the pond.

  • While birdwatching at the lake, we spotted a pair of dabchicks swimming gracefully among the reeds.

  • The little dabchick is known for its distinctive bobbing behavior while diving for food.

  • As spring approached, the dabchicks returned to the pond to mate and build their nests.

Synonyms

little grebe
vsdabchick
  • UK
8.6

Small brown water bird with a short neck that swims and dives on ponds

is the broader term for small European grebes, highlighting that species especially
Podiceps ruficollis
vsdabchick
  • Specialized
9.9

A small diving water bird in Europe called the little grebe

is the common or general label referring to that species

Surface Forms

dabchick singular
dabchicks plural

Morphology

dabchick = dab + chick (semi-transparent) = dab + chick

The parts 'dab' and 'chick' are visible and 'chick' signals a small bird, but the compound is a species name and the role of 'dab' is dialectal/obscure so learners cannot fully derive the exact meaning.

Etymology

Dabchick comes from dab meaning 'to dip' and chick meaning 'small bird', so it names a little bird that keeps dipping and diving in the water.