Definition

1. Noun:
   • A long-winged oceanic bird belonging to the petrel family (Procellariidae), known for its characteristic flight pattern of skimming very close to the surface of the water.

Usage

• The word "shearwater" is a countable noun used to refer to a type of seabird. It is typically used in singular or plural forms when discussing these birds in general or observing them in their natural habitat.

Examples

• Noun:
  • We spotted a shearwater gliding effortlessly over the waves.
  • The island is a breeding ground for thousands of shearwaters.

Advanced Usage

• "to shear the water": This phrase is related to the bird's name, describing its flight behavior. The name "shearwater" originates from the bird's habit of flying so close to the water that it seems to "shear" or cut the surface.
  • The shearwater gets its name from its tendency to shear the water with its wingtips.

Variants and Related Words

• Family Name: Procellariidae (the family to which shearwaters belong).
• Related Bird: Petrel (a general term for related seabirds in the same family).
  • The storm petrel is a smaller relative of the shearwater.

Synonyms

• Oceanic bird: A general term for birds that live on the open sea.
• Tubenose: An informal term for birds in the order Procellariiformes, which have tubular nostrils (includes shearwaters, petrels, and albatrosses).

Different Meanings

• The word "shearwater" refers specifically to the bird and has no other common meanings. It is not to be confused with similar-sounding words like "shearer" (a person who cuts wool) or "clearwater" (a term for clean water).

Idioms

• There are no common idioms specifically using the word "shearwater."

Phrasal Verbs

• There are no phrasal verbs associated with the word "shearwater."

Noun

1. long-winged oceanic bird that in flight skims close to the waves