'Ardea alba' definitions:

Definition of 'Ardea alba'

From: GCIDE
  • Egret \E"gret\, n. [See Aigret, Heron.]
  • 1. (Zo["o]l.) The name of several species of herons which bear plumes on the back. They are generally white. Among the best known species are the American egret ({Ardea egretta} syn. Herodias egretta); the great egret ({Ardea alba}); the little egret (Ardea garzetta), of Europe; and the American snowy egret (Ardea candidissima). [1913 Webster]
  • A bunch of egrets killed for their plumage. --G. W. Cable. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A plume or tuft of feathers worn as a part of a headdress, or anything imitating such an ornament; an aigrette. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Bot.) The flying feathery or hairy crown of seeds or achenes, as the down of the thistle. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Zo["o]l.) A kind of ape. [1913 Webster]