scaup

American

[skawp] / skɔp /

noun

any of several diving ducks of the genus Aythya, especially A. marila greater scaup, of the Northern Hemisphere, having a bluish-gray bill.

scaup British

/ skɔːp /

noun

Also called (US): bluebill. broadbill. either of two diving ducks, Aythya marila ( greater scaup ) or A. affinis ( lesser scaup ), of Europe and America, having a black-and-white plumage in the male

"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

Etymology

Origin of scaup

1665–75; by ellipsis from scaup duck, probably with Scots, N dial. scaup, scalp mussel bed (of uncertain origin)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

scaup

Also spotted, but in fewer numbers, were snow geese, buffleheads, redheads, goldeneyes, American widgeon, ruddy, ring-necked, canvasbacks, scaup and wood ducks.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 15, 2015

While cycling along the beach, he found a sick scaup duck which he carefully carried back to his hotel and lodged in the bathtub.

From Time Magazine Archive

There is a limit of ten to a bag on canvasback, redhead, scaup, ringneck, all teals, gadwalls and shovellers.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mallards, wigeon, scaup, buffleheads and mergansers are standard fare.

From Time Magazine Archive

Eclipse Drake Hen Lesser Hen Drake Greater Hen Drake Except for the wing marks, greater and lesser scaup appear nearly identical in the field.

From Ducks at a Distance A Waterfowl Identification Guide by Robert W. Hines

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023