# lapwing

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈlæpwɪŋ/

## Definitions
1. Any of several medium-sized wading birds belonging to the subfamily Vanellinae, within family Charadriidae.
2. Any of several medium-sized wading birds belonging to the subfamily Vanellinae, within family Charadriidae.
3. A silly man.

## Etymology
From Middle English lapwynge, lapwynke, lappewincke, lapwynche, lhapwynche, from Old English hlēapewince (“lapwing”), from Old English hlēapan (“to leap”) + wincian (“to wink, make a sign”), due to its manner of flight. Cognate with West Frisian ljip (“lapwing”).
The modern form is influenced by folk etymology to resemble English wing.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/lapwing