water hen

American  

Or waterhen

noun

1. moorhen.

2. the American coot, Fulica americana.

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water hen British  

noun

1. another name for gallinule

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Etymology

Origin of water hen

First recorded in 1520–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

water hen

The magpie's nest is made with thorns,     In leafless tree or hedge;   The wild duck and the water hen     Build by the water's edge.

From Twilight and Dawn Simple Talks on the Six Days of Creation by Pridham, Caroline

They went back to the house together; and in the meantime, Thomas Chatterton, who was not a skilful angler, whipped several pools unsuccessfully, hooking nothing but weeds, and once, by accident, a water hen.

From The League of the Leopard by Bindloss, Harold

Then a green swamp; through the tall reeds the native companion, king of cranes, waded majestic; the brilliant porphyry water hen, with scarlet bill and legs, flashed like a sapphire among the emerald green water-sedge.

From Recollections of Geoffrey Hamlyn by Kingsley, Henry

At that moment she heard a noise at her feet which frightened her and a water hen jumped into the water, terrified.

From Nobody's Girl (En Famille) by Crewe-Jones, Florence

“The devil a one of me can see anything or any one, except a fox scampering through the boreen beyond, with a water hen in his mouth,” said Micus.

From The Whale and the Grasshopper And other Fables by O'Brien, Seumas