mopoke

/ ˈməʊˌpəʊk /

noun

1. Also called (NZ)ruru a small spotted owl, Ninox novaeseelandiae, of Australia and New Zealand. In Australia the tawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides, is very often wrongly identified as the mopoke
2. slang.
   a slow or lugubrious person

Word History and Origins

Origin of mopoke¹

C19: imitative of the bird's cry

Example Sentences

You'll never be missed in the dark, and I 'll light plenty of candles now, and dazzle the Mopoke.

From Project Gutenberg

The wind swayed gently the branches of the great she-oaks as a mopoke's mournful note came from the gum trees.

From Project Gutenberg