crossbill

Meaning

Noun

• Any of various finches of the genus Loxia, whose bill crosses over at the tips; they are specialist feeders on conifer cones.
• A bill brought by a defendant, in an equity or chancery suit, against the plaintiff, respecting the matter in question in that suit.

Related

Narrower meaning words

• common crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
• Hispaniolan crossbill, Loxia megaplaga
• parrot crossbill, Loxia pytyopsittacus
• red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
• Scottish crossbill, Loxia scotica
• Cassia crossbill, Loxia sinesciuris
• two-barred crossbill, Loxia leucoptera
• white-winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera

Origin

• cross + bill