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Definition of "coot" [coot]

  • Any of several dark-gray aquatic birds of the genus Fulica of North America and Europe, having a black head and neck, lobed toes, and a white bill. (noun)
  • See scoter. (noun)
  • Informal An eccentric or crotchety person, especially an eccentric old man. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "coot" in a sentence
  • "A recent study reveals that a species of American bird known as the coot is capable of counting their clutch size, and can tell the difference between "parisitic" eggs and their own."
  • "As a member of my own party, this old coot is nothing but a whiner, poser and good for nothing fake. gt"
  • "Breeding bird species include Palaearctic marsh birds such as coot Fulica atra and moorhen Gallinula chloropus, as well as a relict sub-species of Barbary partridge Alectoris barbara duprezii."