sheldrake

sheldrake
Merganser Mer*gan"ser, n. [Sp. merg['a]nsar, fr. mergo a diver (L. mergus, fr. mergere to dip, dive) + ['a]nsar goose, L. anser.] (Zo["o]l.) Any bird of the genus {Mergus} ({Merganser}), and allied genera of the subfamily Merginae. They are allied to the ducks, but have a sharply serrated bill, eat fish, and dive for food. Also called {fish duck}. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Note: The red-breasted merganser ({Merganser serrator}) inhabits both hemispheres. It is called also {sawbill}, {harle}, and {sheldrake}. The American merganser ({Merganser Americanus}.) and the hooded merganser ({Lophodytes cucullatus}) are well-known species.

{White merganser}, the smew or white nun. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Sheldrake — Shel drake , n. [Sheld + drake.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of several species of large Old World ducks of the genus {Tadorna} and allied genera, especially the European and Asiatic species. ({Tadorna cornuta} syn. {Tadorna tadorna}), which somewhat… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sheldrake — [shel′drāk΄] n. pl. sheldrakes or sheldrake [ME sheldedrake, prob. < a ME cognate of MDu schillede, variegated < schillen, to make different + drake, DRAKE1] 1. SHELDUCK 2. MERGANSER …   English World dictionary

  • sheldrake — early 14c., from sheld variegated + DRAKE (Cf. drake) male duck. First element cognate with M.Du. schillede, W.Flem. schilde, from schillen (Du. verschillen to make different ), from P.Gmc. *skeli , from PIE root * (s)kel to cut. This is… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Sheldrake — Rupert Sheldrake Rupert Sheldrake Rupert Sheldrake (né le 28 juin 1942) est un docteur en biologie (biologiste) et un auteur anglais. Il a développé le concept de « résonance morphique », qui utilise la notion ancienne de « champ… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Sheldrake — Rupert Sheldrake Rupert Sheldrake (* 28. Juni 1942 in Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire) ist ein britischer Autor und Biologe. 1981 stellte er eine Hypothese auf, nach der sogenannte morphische Felder existieren, die die Entwicklung von Strukturen …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Sheldrake — This curious surname belongs to that sizeable group of early European surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. These nicknames were originally given with reference to personal characteristics, such as physical… …   Surnames reference

  • sheldrake — Goosander Goos an der, n. [OE. gossander, a tautological word formed fr. goose + gander. Cf. {Merganser}.] (Zo[ o]l.) A species of merganser ({M. merganser}) of Northern Europe and America; called also {merganser}, {dundiver}, {sawbill}, {sawneb} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sheldrake — /shel drayk /, n., pl. sheldrakes, (esp. collectively) sheldrake. 1. any of several Old World ducks of the genus Tadorna, certain species of which have highly variegated plumage. 2. any of various other ducks, esp. the goosander or merganser.… …   Universalium

  • sheldrake — /ˈʃɛldreɪk/ (say sheldrayk) noun (plural sheldrakes, sheldrake) a male shelduck. {Middle English sheldedrake, from sheld particoloured (now obsolete) + drake} …  

  • sheldrake — noun 1. large crested fish eating diving duck having a slender hooked bill with serrated edges • Syn: ↑merganser, ↑fish duck, ↑sawbill • Hypernyms: ↑sea duck • Hyponyms: ↑goosander, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

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