n. [ OE. bitoure, betore, bitter, fr. F. butor; of unknown origin. ] (Zool.) A wading bird of the genus
☞ The common European bittern is Botaurus stellaris. It makes, during the brooding season, a noise called by Dryden bumping, and by Goldsmith booming. The American bittern is Botaurus lentiginosus, and is also called
The name is applied to other related birds, as the
n. [ From Bitter, a. ]
n. [ AS. biternys; biter better + -nys = -ness. ]
The lip that curls with bitterness. Percival. [ 1913 Webster ]
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Job vii. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]
Thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Acts viii. 23. [ 1913 Webster ]
Looking diligently, . . . lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you. Heb. xii. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Bot.) The swamp hickory (Carya amara). Its thin-shelled nuts are bitter. [ 1913 Webster ]