scoter

[ skoh-ter ]

/ ˈskoʊ tər /

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noun, plural sco·ters, (especially collectively) sco·ter.

any of the large diving ducks of the genus Melanitta, inhabiting northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

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Also scooter.

Origin of scoter

First recorded in 1665–75; origin uncertain

Words nearby scoter

Scotch thistle, Scotch verdict, Scotch whisky, Scotchwoman, Scotch woodcock, scoter, scot-free, ScotGael, scotia, Scotism, Scotland

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

How to use scoter in a sentence

The American Scoter is entirely black without markings; base of bill yellow and orange.
The Bird Book|Chester A. Reed
The nest of the Scoter is described as being like that of the Eider Duck, and similarly located.
British Birds in their Haunts|Rev. C. A. Johns
The scoter is entirely black; it dives remarkably well, and can remain a long time under water.
Poachers and Poaching|John Watson
The surf scoter is the rarest of the three British species, and is intermediate in size between the two last.
Poachers and Poaching|John Watson

The note of the Surf Scoter is to me the most pleasing of all the ducks.
Birds and Nature Vol. 9 No. 5 [May 1901]|Various

British Dictionary definitions for scoter

scoter

/ (ˈskəʊtə) /

noun plural -ters or -ter

any sea duck of the genus Melanitta, such as M. nigra (common scoter), of northern regions. The male plumage is black with white patches around the head and eyes

Word Origin for scoter

C17: origin unknown

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