noun
bitterns
• Syn: ↑genus Botaurus
• Hypernyms: ↑bird genus
• Member Holonyms: ↑Ardeidae, ↑family Ardeidae
• Member Meronyms: ↑American bittern, ↑stake driver, ↑Botaurus lentiginosus, ↑European bittern, ↑Botaurus stellaris
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\\bōˈtȯrəs\ nounUsage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, modification (influenced by Latin bos cow and Latin taurus bull) of Middle English botor bittern & Old French butor bittern; Middle English botor from Middle French butor, from Old French — more at bittern, cow, steer
: a genus of birds (family Ardeidae) comprising the typical bitterns
Useful english dictionary. 2012.