bit·tern 1 (b t  rn)n. Any of several wading birds of the genera Botaurus and Ixobrychus, having mottled brownish plumage and a deep booming cry in the male. [Alteration (perhaps influenced by tern) of Middle English bitour, from Old French butor, possibly from Vulgar Latin *buti-taurus : Latin b  ti , buzzard + Latin taurus, bull (after its cry); see tauro- in Indo-European roots.] |
| bit·tern 2 (btrn) n. The bitter water solution of bromides, magnesium, and calcium salts remaining after sodium chloride is crystallized out of seawater. [From bitter.] |
bittern1
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any wading bird of the genera Ixobrychus and Botaurus, related and similar to the herons but with shorter legs and neck, a stouter body, and a booming call: family Ardeidae, order Ciconiiformes
[from Old French butor, perhaps from Latin būtiō bittern + taurus bull; referring to its cry]
bittern2
n
(Chemistry) the bitter liquid remaining after common salt has been crystallized out of sea water: a source of magnesium, bromine, and iodine compounds
[variant of bittering; see bitter]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  bittern - relatively small compact tawny-brown heron with nocturnal habits and a booming cry; found in marshesheron - grey or white wading bird with long neck and long legs and (usually) long bill Botaurus stellaris, European bittern - a kind of bittern Ixobrychus exilis, least bittern - small American bittern |
bittern noun
Translations
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