coot

views updated May 29 2018

coot / koōt/ • n. 1. (pl. same) an aquatic bird (genus Fulica) of the rail family, with blackish plumage, lobed feet, and a bill that extends back onto the forehead as a horny shield. 2. inf. a foolish or eccentric person, typically an old man.

coot

views updated May 23 2018

coot Aquatic bird of freshwater marshes. Related to the rails, it is a strong swimmer and diver. All coots have white bills and foreheads. The female lays 8–12 buff-coloured, brown-spotted eggs on a floating reed nest. Family Rallidae; genus Fulica.

coot

views updated May 14 2018

coot XIV (first in balled cote ‘bald coot’). prob. of LG. orig. (cf. Du. koet).