| bittern | <zoology> A wading bird of the genus Botaurus, allied to the herons, of various species. 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. The name is applied to other related birds, as the least bittern (Ardetta exilis), and the sun bittern. Origin: OE. Bitoure, betore, bitter, fr. F. Butor; of unknown origin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| bitternut | <botany> The swamp hickory (Carya amara). Its thin-shelled nuts are bitter. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |