moorhen

[ moor-hen ]

/ ˈmʊərˌhɛn /

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noun

Also called water hen. a common species of gallinule, Gallinule chloropus, of nearly worldwide distribution.

any of several related gallinules.

Chiefly British. the female red grouse.

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Origin of moorhen

First recorded in 1250–1300, moorhen is from the Middle English word mor-hen.See moor¹, hen

Words nearby moorhen

Moore, Henry, Moore's law, moorfowl, moor grass, Moorhead, moorhen, mooring, mooring buoy, mooring mast, mooring rack, moorings

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use moorhen in a sentence

The moorhen, meanwhile, invariably escaped; yet Bob failed to understand that he was the only diver in the pack.
Creatures of the Night|Alfred W. Rees
The moorhen and coot are too inconspicuous as they lurk under the reeds, or swim hurriedly across the open water.
Rivers of Great Britain. The Thames, from Source to Sea.|Anonymous
The game birds consist of grouse, blackcock, moorhen, quail and partridge.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5|Various
I doubt if the wild duck, teal, little grebe, and moorhen succeed in rearing many young in this most dangerous water.
Birds in London|W. H. Hudson

The larger birds are the wood-pigeon, moorhen, dabchick, and to these the carrion crow may now be added as a breeding species.
Birds in London|W. H. Hudson

British Dictionary definitions for moorhen

moorhen

/ (ˈmʊəˌhɛn, ˈmɔː-) /

noun

a bird, Gallinula chloropus, inhabiting ponds, lakes, etc, having a black plumage, red bill, and a red shield above the bill: family Rallidae (rails)

the female of the red grouse

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