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Glite Dictionary
greater yellowlegs

greater yellowlegs

9.9
A large shorebird with long yellow legs and a long thin bill that wades in marshes
  • noun
  • /ˈɡreɪtər ˈjɛloʊˌlɛɡz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : tringa melanoleuca
  • The greater yellowlegs is known for its long yellow legs.

Examples

  • Unlike the lesser yellowlegs, the greater yellowlegs has a noticeably longer bill.

  • The greater yellowlegs is often seen wading through shallow marshes searching for food.

  • Birdwatchers spotted a flock of greater yellowlegs during their migration along the Atlantic coast.

  • I spotted a greater yellowlegs near the marsh.

  • While birdwatching, we spotted a stunning greater yellowlegs wading through the marsh.

  • The greater yellowlegs is easily recognized by its long yellow legs and slender bill.

  • As we walked along the wetland, a greater yellowlegs took flight, showcasing its graceful wings.

Synonyms

Tringa melanoleuca
vsgreater yellowlegs
  • Specialized
9.9

A large North American water bird with long yellow legs and a slightly upturned bill

is the common descriptive name stressing a slender bill rather than an upturned one
yellowlegs
vsgreater yellowlegs
  • US
9.6

A bird that lives by the water with long bright yellow legs and spotted feathers

is the single North American species with long yellow legs and a slender bill

Surface Forms

greater yellowlegs singular
greater yellowlegs plural

Morphology

greater + yellowlegs

This is a descriptive species name composed of predictable constituents: 'greater' (= larger) modifies 'yellowlegs' (a bird identified by yellow legs), so the overall meaning — a larger kind of yellowlegs shorebird — is directly derivable from the parts. Such comparative/descriptive compound names follow common compositional patterns in English and other languages, making the sense accessible to learners who know the constituent words.

Etymology

The name greater yellowlegs comes from a simple picture: greater means larger and yellowlegs shows the bird's long, bright yellow legs. So the name literally means 'a large marsh bird with long yellow legs' and helps you remember which bird people mean.