- Leptoptilos argala
- Marabou Mar`a*bou" (m[a^]r"[.a]b[=oo]"), n. [F.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A large black-and-white carrion-eating stork of
the genus {Leptoptilos} (formerly {Ciconia}), esp. the
African species ({Leptoptilus crumeniferus} syn.
{Leptoptilos crumenifer}), whose downy under-wing feathers
are used to trim garments; called also {marabout}. The
Asiatic species ({Leptoptilos dubius}, or {Leptoptilos
argala}) is the adjutant. See {Adjutant}. [Written also
{marabu}.]
[1913 Webster]
2. One having five eighths negro blood; the offspring of a mulatto and a griffe. [Louisiana] --Bartlett. [1913 Webster]
3. A kind of thrown raw silk, nearly white naturally, but capable of being dyed without scouring; also, a thin fabric made from it, as for scarfs, which resembles the feathers of the marabou in delicacy, -- whence the name. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.