nine-killer

English

Etymology

The bird was believed to kill and impale on thorns nine birds, etc., in succession.

Noun

nine-killer (plural nine-killers)

1. (archaic) The northern shrike (Lanius borealis).

References

• “nine-killer”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.