Ambition is but avarice on stilts, and masked.
--Landor.
2. A crutch; also, the handle of a plow. [Prov. Eng.]
--Halliwell.
3. (Zo["o]l.) 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}.
Note: The American species ({Himantopus Mexicanus}) is well
known. The European and Asiatic stilt ({H. candidus})
is usually white, except the wings and interscapulars,
which are greenish black. The white-headed stilt ({H.
leucocephalus}) and the banded stilt ({Cladorhynchus
pectoralis}) are found in Australia.
{Stilt plover} (Zo["o]l.), the stilt.
{Stilt sandpiper} (Zo["o]l.), an American sandpiper
({Micropalama himantopus}) having long legs. The bill is
somewhat expanded at the tip.