sheldrake

American  

[shel-dreyk] / ˈʃɛlˌdreɪk /

noun

plural

sheldrakes,

plural

sheldrake

1. any of several Old World ducks of the genus Tadorna, certain species of which have highly variegated plumage.

2. any of various other ducks, especially the goosander or merganser.

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Etymology

Origin of sheldrake

1275–1325; Middle English sheldedrake, equivalent to sheld particolored + drake drake ¹

Example Sentences

“We humans became as clever as we are, so the argument goes, because we were entangled within a demanding flurry of interaction,” Sheldrake writes.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2025

“Entangled Life” is a scientific study of all things fungal that reads like a fairy tale, and since the book’s publication in 2020, Sheldrake has become a coveted speaker.

From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2023

At Sheldrake Point Winery in the Finger Lakes, vineyard manager David Wiemann said workers in the rows already know to be on guard.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 19, 2022

For the trip, Kiers assembled a team that included Furci, independent mycologist Merlin Sheldrake, and his brother Cosmo Sheldrake, a U.K. musician and sound recorder.

From Science Magazine • Jul. 6, 2022

It is liberally supplied with names, as Red-Breasted Goosander or Sheldrake, Garbill, Sea Robin, etc.

From Birds, Illustrated by Color Photography, Vol. 2, No. 2 August, 1897 by Various