Background for wrynecks
BeDict Logo

wrynecks

/ˈraɪˌnɛks/

Meanings
noun
Either of two small woodpeckers, Jynx torquilla and Jynx ruficollis, of the Old World, that turn their heads almost 180 degrees when foraging.

Examples :

"While hiking in the forest, we were surprised to see the wrynecks twist their heads around almost backwards as they searched for ants in the bark. "
animal bird nature biology environment

Related Words

Illustration surprised

surprised verb

/səˈpɹaɪzd/

To cause (someone) to feel unusually alarmed or delighted by something unexpected.

"It surprises me that I owe twice as much as I thought I did."

Illustration foraging

foraging verb

/ˈfɔrɪdʒɪŋ/ /ˈfɑːrɪdʒɪŋ/

To search for and gather food for animals, particularly cattle and horses.

"The horses spent the afternoon foraging in the meadow, searching for patches of clover and grass. "

Illustration distorted

distorted verb

/dɪsˈtɔːtɪd/ /dɪsˈtɔɹtɪd/

To bring something out of shape, to misshape.

"The strong wind distorted the delicate paper airplane, making it almost unrecognizable. "

Illustration degrees

degrees noun

/dɪˈɡɹiːz/

A stage of proficiency or qualification in a course of study, now especially an award bestowed by a university or, in some countries, a college, as a certification of academic achievement. (In the United States, can include secondary schools.)

"She needs two more degrees to become a fully qualified doctor. "

Illustration position

position noun

/pəˈzɪʃ(ə)n/

A place or location.

"My favorite position in the classroom is near the window. "

Illustration sleeping

sleeping verb

/ˈsliːpɪŋ/

To rest in a state of reduced consciousness.

"You should sleep 8 hours a day."

Illustration deformity

deformity noun

/dɪˈfɔːmɪti/ /dɪˈfɔɹməti/

The state of being deformed.

"The puppy was born with a leg deformity, making it difficult for him to walk. "

Illustration backwards

backwards adjective

/ˈbæk.wə(ɹ)dz/

Oriented toward the back.

"The battleship had three backwards guns at the stern, in addition to the primary complement."

Illustration searched

searched verb

/sɜːtʃt/ /sɝtʃt/

To look in (a place) for something.

"I searched the garden for the keys and found them in the vegetable patch."

Illustration torticollis

torticollis noun

/ˌtɔːrtɪˈkɑːlɪs/ /ˌtɔːrtɪˈkɒlɪs/

A medical condition in which the neck muscles contract, causing the neck to twist or jerk.

"My baby had torticollis, so the doctor showed us exercises to help stretch her neck muscles. "

Illustration woodpeckers

woodpeckers noun

/ˈwʊdˌpekərz/

Any bird of many-species subfamily Picinae, with a sharp beak suitable for pecking holes in wood.

"The woodpeckers were making loud tapping sounds on the old oak tree in the park. "

Illustration contraction

contraction noun

/kɒnˈtɹæk.ʃən/ /kənˈtɹæk.ʃən/

A reversible reduction in size.

"The muscle contraction during exercise resulted in a temporary reduction in the size of the arm. "