Longshanks \Long"shanks`\, n. (Zool.)
   The stilt.
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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.
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            Ambition is but avarice on stilts, and masked.
                                                  --Landor.
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   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.
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   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.
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   Stilt plover (Zool.), the stilt.

   Stilt sandpiper (Zool.), an American sandpiper
      (Micropalama himantopus) having long legs. The bill is
      somewhat expanded at the tip.
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