corn-crake
(ˈkɔːnkreɪk)
Also 6–9 -craik, 8 -creak, -crek.
[f. corn n.1 + crake.]
1. A name (originally Scottish) of the bird also called Landrail, Crex pratensis, found in summer in the British Islands; it lives concealed among standing corn and the grass of the hayfields, whence its harsh grating voice may be heard.
| a 1455 Houlate lxi, The Corne Crake, the pundar at hand. 1552 Lyndesay Monarche 6314 The Cornecraik in the croft I heir hir cry. 1772 Barrington in Phil. Trans. LXII. 318 This bird is..very common..in Ireland, where they are called corn-creaks. a 1813 A. Wilson Poet. Wks., Summer Evening, Hoarse screams the corn-craik from the dewy hay. 1829 E. Jesse Jrnl. Nat. 329 The noise..reminds us of the spring call of the rail or corncrake. 1884 St. James's Gaz. 29 May 6/2 The corn-craik in the misty fields. |
2. ‘A hand-rattle with a ratchet wheel, used to frighten birds from sown seed or growing corn’ (Jamieson); also a nursery toy making a similiar grating noise.
3. Comb., as corncrake-like adj.
| 1887 Pall Mall G. 15 Feb., His flail-like movement of arm and corncrake-like voice in full action. |