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definitions

water hen

or wa·ter·hen

noun
  1. moorhen(def 1).
  2. the American coot, Fulica americana.

Origin of water hen

First recorded in 1520–30
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for water hen

Historical Examples of water hen

  • I've filled in the pond and driven the swan and the water-hen to other haunts.

    Mary Gray

    Katharine Tynan

  • True, they were only water-hen's eggs, and not so large as the duck's eggs, but then she must not be too particular.

    Nobody's Girl

    Hector Malot

  • The water-hen (Gallinula chloropus) is common on the lake at Ootacamund.

  • "He must have seized the water-hen as she dived," said Dick.

    The Swan and Her Crew

    George Christopher Davies

  • "There is a water-hen in the reeds, just before us," said Jimmy.

    The Swan and Her Crew

    George Christopher Davies

British Dictionary definitions for water hen

water hen

noun
  1. another name for gallinule
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