moor coot

moor coot
Gallinule Gal"li*nule, n. [L. gallinula chicken, dim. of gallina hen: cf. F. gallinule.] (Zo["o]l.) One of several wading birds, having long, webless toes, and a frontal shield, belonging to the family {Rallidae}. They are remarkable for running rapidly over marshes and on floating plants. The purple gallinule of America is {Ionornis Martinica}, that of the Old World is {Porphyrio porphyrio}. The common European gallinule ({Gallinula chloropus}) is also called {moor hen}, {water hen}, {water rail}, {moor coot}, {night bird}, and erroneously {dabchick}. Closely related to it is the Florida gallinule ({Gallinula galeata}). [1913 Webster]

Note: The purple gallinule of Southern Europe and Asia was formerly believed to be able to detect and report adultery, and for that reason, chiefly, it was commonly domesticated by the ancients. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Moor coot — Moor Moor, n. [OE. mor, AS. m[=o]r moor, morass; akin to D. moer moor, G. moor, and prob. to Goth. marei sea, E. mere. See {Mere} a lake.] 1. An extensive waste covered with patches of heath, and having a poor, light soil, but sometimes marshy,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • moor coot — noun : moorhen 2 …   Useful english dictionary

  • Moor — Moor, n. [OE. mor, AS. m[=o]r moor, morass; akin to D. moer moor, G. moor, and prob. to Goth. marei sea, E. mere. See {Mere} a lake.] 1. An extensive waste covered with patches of heath, and having a poor, light soil, but sometimes marshy, and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Moor buzzard — Moor Moor, n. [OE. mor, AS. m[=o]r moor, morass; akin to D. moer moor, G. moor, and prob. to Goth. marei sea, E. mere. See {Mere} a lake.] 1. An extensive waste covered with patches of heath, and having a poor, light soil, but sometimes marshy,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Moor coal — Moor Moor, n. [OE. mor, AS. m[=o]r moor, morass; akin to D. moer moor, G. moor, and prob. to Goth. marei sea, E. mere. See {Mere} a lake.] 1. An extensive waste covered with patches of heath, and having a poor, light soil, but sometimes marshy,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Moor cock — Moor Moor, n. [OE. mor, AS. m[=o]r moor, morass; akin to D. moer moor, G. moor, and prob. to Goth. marei sea, E. mere. See {Mere} a lake.] 1. An extensive waste covered with patches of heath, and having a poor, light soil, but sometimes marshy,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Moor game — Moor Moor, n. [OE. mor, AS. m[=o]r moor, morass; akin to D. moer moor, G. moor, and prob. to Goth. marei sea, E. mere. See {Mere} a lake.] 1. An extensive waste covered with patches of heath, and having a poor, light soil, but sometimes marshy,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Moor grass — Moor Moor, n. [OE. mor, AS. m[=o]r moor, morass; akin to D. moer moor, G. moor, and prob. to Goth. marei sea, E. mere. See {Mere} a lake.] 1. An extensive waste covered with patches of heath, and having a poor, light soil, but sometimes marshy,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Moor hawk — Moor Moor, n. [OE. mor, AS. m[=o]r moor, morass; akin to D. moer moor, G. moor, and prob. to Goth. marei sea, E. mere. See {Mere} a lake.] 1. An extensive waste covered with patches of heath, and having a poor, light soil, but sometimes marshy,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Moor hen — Moor Moor, n. [OE. mor, AS. m[=o]r moor, morass; akin to D. moer moor, G. moor, and prob. to Goth. marei sea, E. mere. See {Mere} a lake.] 1. An extensive waste covered with patches of heath, and having a poor, light soil, but sometimes marshy,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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