Wagtail

Definition of wagtail:

part of speech: noun

A small bird with a long tail which is habitually jerked up and down.

Usage examples for wagtail:

• She burst into loud sobs, and the governess had started up to put an end to a dialogue which she could not understand, and which was therefore vexatious and provoking, when the water- wagtail fell on her knees before the little girl, threw her arms round her, and bursting into tears, exclaimed: " Mary- darling little Mary forgive me. "The Complete Historical Romances of Georg Ebers", Georg Ebers.

• The news of her safe return, and of the Kangaroo's finding her Joey, had been spread far and near, by Willy Wagtail and the Kookooburra; and she could hear the shouts of laughter from kookooburras telling the story until nearly dark. "Dot and the Kangaroo", Ethel C. Pedley.

• A water- wagtail began to fly in front of the carriage about thirty paces at a time, rising from the little heaps of stones. "Renée Mauperin", Edmond de Goncourt and Jules de Goncourt.