eider duck

American  

noun

1. any of several large sea ducks of the genus Soamateria and allied genera of the Northern Hemisphere, the females of which yield eiderdown.

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Etymology

Origin of eider duck

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

eider duck

The eider duck and the hair seal are disappearing, but on the word of Medical Missionary Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell, the country is infested with mice "of many varieties."

From Time Magazine Archive

The down of that pr-rovident bird, the eider duck, makes a substitute for the flesh that ought to pad my poor bones.

From A Tar-Heel Baron by Holloway, Edward Stratton

Now, as the eider duck does not select steep cliffs for her nest, but rather the smooth terraced rocks which slope to the sea, the Icelandic hunter might exercise his calling without any inconvenient exertion.

From A Journey to the Interior of the Earth by Verne, Jules

There are more palatable things than bear or eider duck, yet I know many persons to whom snails, olive oil, and paté de fois gras are more repugnant.

From The First Landing on Wrangel Island With Some Remarks on the Northern Inhabitants by Rosse, Irving C. (Irving Collins)

In a crevice of the rock a fire was kindled, the saucepan half filled with sea water, and an eider duck John had knocked over with his oar was put into it to stew.

From North-Pole Voyages by Mudge, Zachariah Atwell