merganser

[ mer-gan-ser ]

noun

, plural mer·gan·sers, (especially collectively) mer·gan·ser.

1. any of several fish-eating diving ducks of the subfamily Merginae, having a narrow bill hooked at the tip and serrated at the edges.

merganser

/ mɜːˈɡænsə /

noun

1. See goosander
   any of several typically crested large marine diving ducks of the genus Mergus, having a long slender hooked bill with serrated edges Also calledsawbill See also goosander

Word History and Origins

Origin of merganser¹

1745–55; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin merg ( us ) diver, a kind of water bird + ānser goose

Word History and Origins

Origin of merganser¹

C18: from New Latin, from Latin mergus waterfowl, from mergere to plunge + anser goose

Example Sentences

The nesting of the hooded merganser is even more erratic than its occurrence.

From Project Gutenberg

The habits of the Goosander and Merganser are so much alike that further detail is unnecessary.

From Project Gutenberg

The females and young birds of the Goosander and Merganser are popularly called Dun-divers.

From Project Gutenberg

The name Merganser, that is, 'Diving Goose', has reference to the size of the bird and its habit of diving for its food.

From Project Gutenberg

Spic′ūlum, a spicule; Spike′bill, a merganser, a sawbill: the marbled godwit.

From Project Gutenberg