loggerhead shrike

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

log′gerhead shrike′, 

1. Birds a common, North American shrike, Lanius ludovicianus, gray above and white below with black wings, tail, and facial mask.

• 1805–15, American.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

log•ger•head /ˈlɔgɚˌhɛd, ˈlɑgɚ-/   n. [countable]

1. a stupid person;
   blockhead.

Idioms

2. Idioms at loggerheads with, [~ + object] in conflict with:
   two nations at loggerheads with each other.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

log•ger•head  (lô′gər hed′, log′ər-), n. 

1. a thick-headed or stupid person;
   blockhead.
2. See loggerhead turtle. 
3. See loggerhead shrike. 
4. a ball or bulb of iron with a long handle, used, after being heated, to melt tar, heat liquids, etc.
5. Nautical, Naval Terms a rounded post, in the stern of a whaleboat, around which the harpoon line is passed.
6. Furniture a circular inkwell having a broad, flat base.
7. Idioms at loggerheads, engaged in a disagreement or dispute;
   quarreling:
   They were at loggerheads over the distribution of funds.

• logger block of wood (first attested alone in 18th century) + head 1580–90

log′ger•head′ed, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

loggerhead / ˈlɒɡəˌhɛd/ noun

1. Also called: loggerhead turtle a large-headed turtle, Caretta caretta, occurring in most seas: family Chelonidae
2. loggerhead shrike ⇒ a North American shrike, Lanius ludovicianus, having a grey head and body, black-and-white wings and tail, and black facial stripe
3. a tool consisting of a large metal sphere attached to a long handle, used for warming liquids, melting tar, etc
4. a strong round upright post in a whaleboat for belaying the line of a harpoon
5. a stupid person
6. at loggerheads ⇒ engaged in dispute or confrontation

Etymology: 16th Century: probably from dialect logger wooden block + head

ˈloggerˌheaded adjective