bittern

¹ American  

[bit-ern] / ˈbɪt ərn /

noun

1. any of several tawny brown herons that inhabit reedy marshes, as Botaurus lentiginosus American bittern, of North America, and B. stellaris, of Europe.

2. any of several small herons of the genus Ixobrychus, as I. exilis least bittern, of temperate and tropical North and South America.

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bittern ² American  

[bit-ern] / ˈbɪt ərn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a bitter solution remaining in salt making after the salt has crystallized out of seawater or brine, used as a source of bromides, iodides, and certain other salts.

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bittern ¹ British  

/ ˈbɪtən /

noun

1. 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

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bittern ² British  

/ ˈbɪtən /

noun

1. the bitter liquid remaining after common salt has been crystallized out of sea water: a source of magnesium, bromine, and iodine compounds

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Etymology

Origin of bittern¹

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)

Origin of bittern²

1675–85; variant of bittering; see bitter, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Then, in response to a recording, the elusive American Bittern makes its extraordinary display call—a series of bellowing gulps, as though it's glugging a gallon of water—eliciting a hushed YES! from the birders.

From Scientific American • Sep. 15, 2021

They don't have a Least Bittern, a small, hunched heron, pinned down yet.

From Scientific American • Sep. 15, 2021

The voice waxed too, and earned for Hugh Dalton the nickname "Booming Bittern."

From Time Magazine Archive

Amidst umbrageous gloom the Night-Heron and Bittern dream away the hours of daylight, the former among the branches, the latter in thickest sedge.

From Wild Spain (Espa?a agreste) Records of Sport with Rifle, Rod, and Gun, Natural History Exploration by Buck, Walter J.

IN reedy swamp and lonely marsh, Where all is shade and gloom, The Bittern stalks, and you may hear His voice in sullen boom.

From Chatterbox Stories of Natural History by Anonymous