Stilt

stilt
    n 1: a column of wood or steel or concrete that is driven into
         the ground to provide support for a structure [syn: {pile},
         {spile}, {piling}, {stilt}]
    2: one of two stout poles with foot rests in the middle; used
       for walking high above the ground; "he was so tall I thought
       he was on stilts"
    3: long-legged three-toed wading bird of brackish marshes of
       Australia [syn: {stilt}, {Australian stilt}]
    4: long-legged three-toed black-and-white wading bird of inland
       ponds and marshes or brackish lagoons [syn: {stilt},
       {stiltbird}, {longlegs}, {long-legs}, {stilt plover},
       {Himantopus stilt}]
    

Stilt \Stilt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Stilted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Stilting}.]
   To raise on stilts, or as if on stilts.
   [1913 Webster]
    

Stilt \Stilt\, n. [OE. stilte; akin to Dan. stylte, Sw. stylta,
   LG. & D. stelt, OHG. stelza, G. stelze, and perh. to E.
   stout.]
   1. A pole, or piece of wood, constructed with a step or loop
      to raise the foot above the ground in walking. It is
      sometimes lashed to the leg, and sometimes prolonged
      upward so as to be steadied by the hand or arm.
      [1913 Webster]

            Ambition is but avarice on stilts, and masked.
                                                  --Landor.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A crutch; also, the handle of a plow. [Prov. Eng.]
      --Halliwell.
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   3. (Zool.) Any species of limicoline birds belonging to
      {Himantopus} and allied genera, in which the legs are
      remarkably long and slender. Called also {longshanks},
      {stiltbird}, {stilt plover}, and {lawyer}.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: The American species ({Himantopus Mexicanus}) is well
         known. The European and Asiatic stilt ({Himantopus
         candidus}) is usually white, except the wings and
         interscapulars, which are greenish black. The
         white-headed stilt ({Himantopus leucocephalus}) and the
         banded stilt ({Cladorhynchus pectoralis}) are found in
         Australia.
         [1913 Webster]

   {Stilt plover} (Zool.), the stilt.

   {Stilt sandpiper} (Zool.), an American sandpiper
      ({Micropalama himantopus}) having long legs. The bill is
      somewhat expanded at the tip.
      [1913 Webster]