noun
adjutant
A large stork native to South and Southeast Asia.
An adjutant stands beside the wetland with its long bill lowered.
Etymology
Latin adiuvare means “to help,” underlying the military title for an assisting officer. The stork was named after that officer because its stiff, upright bearing suggested a military figure.
More examples
- The birdwatchers spot two adjutants near the river.
- An adjutant lifts its broad wings before taking flight.
- The reserve protects nesting sites used by adjutants.
Forms
adjutant · adjutants
Similar words
- stork
- Names the broader bird family rather than this particular kind.
- wading bird
- Broader still, including many unrelated long-legged water birds.