least bittern
noun
See under bittern1(def 2).
Origin of least bittern
An Americanism dating back to 1805–15
Words nearby least bittern
leaseman,
leash,
leash law,
leasing,
least,
least bittern,
least common denominator,
least common multiple,
least flycatcher,
least killifish,
least of all
Definition for least bittern (2 of 2)
bittern
1
[ bit-ern ]
/ ˈbɪt ərn /
noun
any of several tawny brown herons that inhabit reedy marshes, as Botaurus lentiginosus (American bittern), of North America, and B. stellaris, of Europe.
any of several small herons of the genus Ixobrychus, as I. exilis (least bittern), of temperate and tropical North and South America.
Origin of bittern
1
1510–20;
bitter, bittor bittern +
-n (perhaps by association with
heron), Middle English
bito(u)r, butur, boto(u)r < Anglo-French
bytore, Anglo-French, Old French
butor < Vulgar Latin
*būtitaurus, equivalent to
*būti-, perhaps to be identified with Latin
būteō a species of hawk (see
buteo) + Latin
taurus bull (cited by Pliny as a name for a bird emitting a bellowing sound)
British Dictionary definitions for least bittern (1 of 2)
bittern
1
/ (ˈbɪtən) /
noun
any wading bird of the genera Ixobrychus and Botaurus, related and similar to the herons but with shorter legs and neck, a stouter body, and a booming call: family Ardeidae, order Ciconiiformes
Word Origin for bittern
C14: from Old French
butor, perhaps from Latin
būtiō bittern +
taurus bull; referring to its cry
British Dictionary definitions for least bittern (2 of 2)
bittern
2
/ (ˈbɪtən) /
noun
the bitter liquid remaining after common salt has been crystallized out of sea water: a source of magnesium, bromine, and iodine compounds
Word Origin for bittern
C17: variant of
bittering; see
bitter