dotterel

[ dot-er-uh l ]

/ ˈdɒt ər əl /

any of several plovers usually inhabiting upland areas, especially Eudromias morinellus, of Europe and Asia.

British Dialect. a silly, stupid person, especially one who is easily duped.

Also dot·trel

[do-truh l] /ˈdɒ trəl/.

Origin of dotterel

First recorded in 1400–50, dotterel is from the late Middle English word dotrelle. See dote, -rel

dothan, doting, dotted, dotted line, dotted swiss, dotterel, dottie, dottle, dotty, doty, dou

We have seen eggs of the Dotterel that had been taken on the Cumberland mountains in June.

Among the Birds in Northern Shires |Charles Dixon
Last night we had dotterel and sandpipers for dinner, this morning greenshanks, which are very good birds indeed.

Three in Norway |James Arthur Lees
One day I managed to get six brace of ptarmigan and some dotterel—and very pretty birds they were.

Twenty-Six Years Reminiscences of Scotch Grouse Moors |William Alexander Adams
The Dotterel (Pluvialis morinellus) is a little larger than a Blackbird.

Reptiles and Birds |Louis Figuier

The thin pipe of the dotterel fell into the darkness beyond the shallows where the sea-mist lay.

Pharais and The Mountain Lovers |Fiona Macleod

dotterel

/ (ˈdɒtrəl) /

a rare Eurasian plover, Eudromias morinellus, with reddish-brown underparts and white bands around the head and neck

Australian any similar and related bird, esp of the genus Charadrius

dialect a person who is foolish or easily duped

C15 dotrelle; see dote