widgeon

or wig·eon

[ wij-uhn ]

noun

, plural widg·eons, (especially collectively) widg·eon

1. any of several common freshwater ducks related to the mallards and teals in the genus Anas, having metallic green flight feathers, a white wing patch, and a buff or white forehead, including A. penelope of Eurasia and North Africa, A. sibilatrix of South America, and the baldpate, A. americana, of North America.
2. Obsolete. a fool.

widgeon

/ ˈwɪdʒən /

noun

1. See wigeon
   a variant spelling of wigeon

Word History and Origins

Origin of widgeon¹

First recorded in 1505–15; perhaps from an Anglo-French correspondent of French vigeon, from Vulgar Latin; compare Medieval Latin vipiō “kind of crane” (derivative of vip- imitative of a bird's cry)

Example Sentences

Widgeon may be cooked in as many ways as teal, using the same recipes, substituting widgeon for teal.

From Project Gutenberg

We had scarcely gone a hundred yards ere a large widgeon rose from behind a bush, and Crusty, who was in advance, brought it down.

From Project Gutenberg

The widgeon has observed him going down; and, calculating to a nicety the spot where he will reappear, seats himself in readiness.

From Project Gutenberg

The widgeon is one of the most common ducks of the Coast, both north and south.

From Project Gutenberg

The green-winged teal, like the widgeon, feeds a great deal on the plains and in the fields.

From Project Gutenberg