scaup

[ skawp ]

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

Origin of scaup

1
1665–75; by ellipsis from scaup duck, probably with Scots, N dial. scaup, scalp mussel bed (of uncertain origin)
  • Also called scaup duck .

Words Nearby scaup

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use scaup in a sentence

  • The scaup came down the sky in dark masses, giving a rippling purr as they flew.

    Wild Folk | Samuel Scoville
  • The lesser scaup, or little blue-bill (Aythya affinis) has a white speculum also, but the sheen of the head and neck is purple.

  • The nesting habits are the same as those of the Greater scaup and the eggs are similar but smaller.

    The Bird Book | Chester A. Reed
  • The scaup Duck is very abundant in Holland during winter, covering the inland seas with immense flocks.

  • It is an expert diver, and a flock of hundreds of scaup may sometimes be seen to immerse themselves at the same moment.

    Poachers and Poaching | John Watson

British Dictionary definitions for scaup

scaup

scaup duck

/ (skɔːp) /


noun
  1. 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: Also called (US): bluebill, broadbill

Origin of scaup

1
C16: Scot variant of scalp

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