DOTTEREL

dotterel, dotrel, Charadrius morinellus, Eudromias morinellus

(noun) rare plover of upland areas of Eurasia

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

dotterel (plural dotterels)

A gullible fool.

Any of various small birds in the plover family Charadriidae; sometimes used interchangeably with plover.

Synonyms

• (gullible fool): dotard, dote; see also fool

Adjective

dotterel (comparative more dotterel, superlative most dotterel)

decayed

Anagrams

• toltered

Source: Wiktionary

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Dot"ter*el, a. Etym: [Cf. Dottard.]

Definition: Decayed. "Some old dotterel trees." [Obs.] Ascham.

Dot"ter*el, n. Etym: [From Dote, v. i.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Definition: A European bird of the Plover family (Eudromias, or Charadrius, morinellus). It is tame and easily taken, and is popularly believed to imitate the movements of the fowler. In catching of dotterels we see how the foolish bird playeth the ape in gestures. Bacon.

Note: The ringed dotterel (or ring plover) is Charadrius hiaticula.

2. A silly fellow; a dupe; a gull. Barrow.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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