BITTERNS
Noun
bitterns
plural of bittern
Anagrams
• Bittners
Source: Wiktionary
BITTERN
Bit"tern, n. Etym: [OE. bitoure, betore, bitter, fr. F. butor; of
unknown origin.] (Zoöl.)
Definition: A wading bird of the genus Botaurus, allied to the herons, of
various species.
Note: The common European bittern is Botaurus stellaris. It makes,
during the brooding season, a noise called by Dryden bumping, and by
Goldsmith booming. The American bittern is B. lentiginosus, and is
also called stake-driver and meadow hen. See Stake-driver.
Note: The name is applied to other related birds, as the least
bittern (Ardetta exilis), and the sun bittern.
Bit"tern, n. Etym: [From Bitter, a.]
1. The brine which remains in salt works after the salt is concreted,
having a bitter taste from the chloride of magnesium which it
contains.
2. A very bitter compound of quassia, cocculus Indicus, etc., used by
fraudulent brewers in adulterating beer. Cooley.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition