woodcock

American  

[wood-kok] / ˈwʊdˌkɒk /

noun

plural

woodcocks,

plural

woodcock

1. either of two plump, short-legged migratory game birds of variegated brown plumage, the Eurasian Scolopax rusticola and the smaller American Philohela minor.

2. any of various pileated or ivory-billed woodpeckers.

3. Archaic. a simpleton.

---

woodcock British  

/ ˈwʊdˌkɒk /

noun

1. an Old World game bird, Scolopax rusticola, resembling the snipe but larger and having shorter legs and neck: family Scolopacidae (sandpipers, etc), order Charadriiformes

2. a related North American bird, Philohela minor

3. obsolete a simpleton

---

Etymology

Origin of woodcock

before 1050; Middle English wodecok, Old English wuducoc. See wood ¹, cock ¹

Example Sentences

While migration and reproduction take a lot of energy, American woodcock reduce the cost in other ways, Slezak said.

From Science Daily

It was hoped species such as lapwing, redshank and woodcock would find a haven in the wet woodland, while otters and water voles would use the restored network of waterways as corridors and breeding habitat.

From BBC

In the spring and the fall, the American woodcock often makes an appearance.

From New York Times

A bird conservation charity said it had been locked out of its Twitter account for eight days after posting several tweets about woodcock.

From BBC

In the clear light of day, the Eurasian woodcock doesn’t stand out.

From Science Magazine