About The Word Bittern

Bay Area Crosswords

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Bittern

Bittern Meaning & Definition
Bittern Definition And Meaning

What's The Definition Of Bittern?

[n] relatively small compact tawny-brown heron with nocturnal habits and a booming cry; found in marshes

Synonyms | Synonyms for Bittern:

Related Terms | Find terms related to Bittern:

See Also | American bittern | Botaurus lentiginosus | Botaurus stellaris | European bittern | heron | Ixobrychus exilis | least bittern | stake driver

Bittern In Webster's Dictionary

\Bit"tern\, n. [OE. bitoure, betore, bitter, fr. F. butor; of unknown origin.] (Zo["o]l.) A wading bird of the genus {Botaurus}, allied to the herons, of various species. Note: The common European bittern is {Botaurus stellaris}. It makes, during the brooding season, a noise called by Dryden bumping, and by Goldsmith booming. The American bittern is {B. lentiginosus}, and is also called {stake-driver} and {meadow hen}. See {Stake-driver}. Note: The name is applied to other related birds, as the {least bittern} ({Ardetta exilis}), and the {sun bittern}.
\Bit"tern\, n. [From {Bitter}, a.] 1. The brine which remains in salt works after the salt is concreted, having a bitter taste from the chloride of magnesium which it contains. 2. A very bitter compound of quassia, cocculus Indicus, etc., used by fraudulent brewers in adulterating beer. --Cooley.

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