Cuckoo spit

Cuckoo spit
Cuckoo Cuck"oo (k[oo^]k"[=oo]), n. [OE. coccou, cukkow, F. coucou, prob. of imitative origin; cf. L. cuculus, Gr. ????, Skr. k?ki?a, G. kuckuk, D. koekoek.] (Zo["o]l.) A bird belonging to {Cuculus}, {Coccyzus}, and several allied genera, of many species. [1913 Webster]

Note: The European cuckoo ({Cuculus canorus}) builds no nest of its own, but lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, to be hatched by them. The American yellow-billed cuckoo ({Coccyzus Americanus}) and the black-billed cuckoo ({Coccyzus erythrophthalmus}) build their own nests. [1913 Webster]

{Cuckoo clock}, a clock so constructed that at the time for striking it gives forth sounds resembling the cry of the cuckoo.

{Cuckoo dove} (Zo["o]l.), a long-tailed pigeon of the genus {Macropygia}. Many species inhabit the East Indies.

{Cuckoo fish} (Zo["o]l.), the European red gurnard ({Trigla cuculus}). The name probably alludes to the sound that it utters.

{Cuckoo falcon} (Zo["o]l.), any falcon of the genus {Baza}. The genus inhabits Africa and the East Indies.

{Cuckoo maid} (Zo["o]l.), the wryneck; -- called also {cuckoo mate}.

{Cuckoo ray} (Zo["o]l.), a British ray ({Raia miraletus}).

{Cuckoo spit}, or {Cuckoo spittle}. (a) A frothy secretion found upon plants, exuded by the larvae of certain insects, for concealment; -- called also {toad spittle} and {frog spit}. (b) (Zo["o]l.) A small hemipterous insect, the larva of which, living on grass and the leaves of plants, exudes this secretion. The insects belong to {Aphrophora}, {Helochara}, and allied genera.

{Ground cuckoo}, the chaparral cock. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • cuckoo spit — or cuckoo spittle n. 1. a frothy substance produced on plants by the nymphs of spittlebugs to envelop their larvae 2. such an insect * * * …   Universalium

  • cuckoo spit — or cuckoo spittle n. 1. a frothy substance produced on plants by the nymphs of spittlebugs to envelop their larvae 2. such an insect …   English World dictionary

  • cuckoo spit — noun 1. also cuckoo spittle a. : a frothy secretion exuded upon plants by the nymphs of spittle insects called also frog spit, snake spit, toad spit b. : an insect secreting this : spittle insect 2 …   Useful english dictionary

  • cuckoo-spit — /kooh kooh spit , kook ooh /, n. 1. Also called frog spit. a frothy secretion found on plants, exuded by the young of certain insects, as the froghoppers, and serving as a protective covering. 2. an insect that produces this secretion. [1350… …   Universalium

  • cuckoo-spit — cuck′oo spit n. 1) ent Also called frog spit a frothy secretion found on plants, exuded by the young of certain insects, as the froghoppers. 2) ent such an insect • Etymology: 1350–1400; ME cokkowespitle …   From formal English to slang

  • cuckoo-spit — /kooh kooh spit , kook ooh /, n. 1. Also called frog spit. a frothy secretion found on plants, exuded by the young of certain insects, as the froghoppers, and serving as a protective covering. 2. an insect that produces this secretion. [1350… …   Useful english dictionary

  • cuckoo-spit — /ˈkʊku spɪt/ (say kookooh spit) noun 1. a frothy secretion found on plants, exuded as a protective covering by the young of certain insects, as the froghoppers. 2. an insect secreting this …  

  • cuckoo spit — noun Date: 1592 1. a frothy secretion exuded on plants by the nymphs of spittle insects 2. spittlebug …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • cuckoo spit — noun A frothy mass of white liquid that is secreted onto plants by froghopper larvae and serving as a protective covering …   Wiktionary

  • cuckoo spit — Mawdesley Glossary froth on grass stems which contains an inseot …   English dialects glossary

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