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green plover

green plover

8.9
A large crested bird that lives in wet areas and eats insects
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : avefría
  • The birdwatchers spotted a flock of green plovers near the lake at dawn.

Examples

  • The green plover is commonly found in wetlands throughout Europe and Asia.

  • Many farmers appreciate the presence of the green plover because it eats harmful insects.

  • The green plover is often found near wetlands.

  • Have you ever seen a green plover in the wild?

  • Many farmers appreciate the presence of the green plover because it eats harmful insects.

  • The green plover is commonly found in wetlands throughout Europe and Asia.

  • The birdwatchers spotted a flock of green plovers near the lake at dawn.

Synonyms

lapwing
vsgreen plover
  • UK
1 8.9

A large crested bird with rounded wings and a distinctive flight

is the same bird but highlights facial wattles and spurs instead of wing shape
peewit
vsgreen plover
  • UK
9.9

A large crested bird that lives in wet fields and makes a loud call

is the general crested Old World plover term rather than one species

Surface Forms

green plover singular
green plovers plural

Morphology

green + plover

This is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: a B1 learner who knows 'green' (a colour) and 'plover' (a wading bird) will naturally infer it denotes a plover that is green or a particular species with greenish plumage. Although it refers to a specific species (lapwing), the meaning is compositionally predictable from the constituents.

Etymology

Green plover gets its name from the bird's shiny green feathers and the word plover, a name for a bird that lives near water and wet fields. Because this large, crested bird is also called a 'lapwing', the name helps you picture the actual bird today.