dotterel

American  

[dot-er-uhl] / ˈdɒt ər əl /

Also dottrel

noun

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

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

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dotterel British  

/ ˈdɒtrəl /

noun

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

2. any similar and related bird, esp of the genus Charadrius

3. dialect a person who is foolish or easily duped

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Etymology

Origin of dotterel

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

Example Sentences

Scotland is home to Arctic specialists - birds like dotterel, snow bunting and ptarmigan - which are found high on Scotland's mountains.

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2022

This poor dotterel, Sir Arthur, is playing fast and loose with me.

From Anna St. Ives by Holcroft, Thomas

Here are, amongst others, the beautiful golden-ringed and dotterel plovers of Europe, and the American noisy plover.

From How to See the British Museum in Four Visits by Jerrold, W. Blanchard

In spring, "trips" of rare dotterel often led us about the higher hills for days, and sometimes we had to stay all night on the mountain.

From The Confessions of a Poacher by Anonymous

It has even been put forward that the colours of their eggs are intended to deceive; and those of the dotterel, laid on the open beach, are often mentioned as an instance.

From Field and Hedgerow Being the Last Essays of Richard Jefferies by Jefferies, Richard