crossbill

English

A crossbill, Loxia curvirostra

cross +‎ bill

crossbill (plural crossbills)

Any of various finches of the genus Loxia, whose bill crosses over at the tips; they are specialist feeders on conifer cones.
(law) A bill brought by a defendant, in an equity or chancery suit, against the plaintiff, respecting the matter in question in that suit.
- 1836, Edward Burtenshaw Sugden, A Practical Treatise of the Law of Vendors and Purchasers of Estates:
  he not having the money ready […] filed a bill for a specific performance, evidently to gain time. The vendors filed a crossbill; and afterwards the purchaser became a bankrupt

finch of the genus Loxia

law: bill brought by a defendant against the plaintiff — see counterclaim

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