DEFINITIONS

least bittern

noun

See under bittern1(def 2).

Content related to least bittern

Comparatives vs. SuperlativesThe positive form of an adjective or adverb is the basic form listed in a dictionary, e.g.” “red,” “awful” (adjectives); “soon,” “quickly” (adverbs). Adjectives and adverbs can show degrees of quality or amount with the endings -er and -est or with the words more and most or less and least. The comparative form is the greater or lesser degree of the quality named, e.g., “redder,” “more/less awful,” “sooner,” “more/less quickly.” The superlative form is the greatest or least degree of …
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Words nearby least bittern

leaseman, leash, leash law, leasing, least, least bittern, least common denominator, least common multiple, least flycatcher, least killifish, least of all

Origin of least bittern

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15

Definition for least bittern (2 of 2)

bittern1
[ bit-ern ]
/ ˈbɪt ərn /

noun

any of several tawny brown herons that inhabit reedy marshes, as Botaurus lentiginosus (American bittern), of North America, and B. stellaris, of Europe.
any of several small herons of the genus Ixobrychus, as I. exilis (least bittern), of temperate and tropical North and South America.

Origin of bittern

1
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)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for least bittern (1 of 2)

bittern1
/ (ˈbɪtən) /

noun

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

Word Origin for bittern

C14: from Old French butor, perhaps from Latin būtiō bittern + taurus bull; referring to its cry

British Dictionary definitions for least bittern (2 of 2)

bittern2
/ (ˈbɪtən) /

noun

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

Word Origin for bittern

C17: variant of bittering; see bitter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012