'Cuckoo maid' definitions:

Definition of 'Cuckoo maid'

From: GCIDE
  • Cuckoo \Cuck"oo\ (k[oo^]k"[=oo]), n. [OE. coccou, cukkow, F. coucou, prob. of imitative origin; cf. L. cuculus, Gr. ????, Skr. k?ki?a, G. kuckuk, D. koekoek.] (Zool.) A bird belonging to Cuculus, Coccyzus, and several allied genera, of many species. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The European cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) builds no nest of its own, but lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, to be hatched by them. The American yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus Americanus) and the black-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus) build their own nests. [1913 Webster]
  • Cuckoo clock, a clock so constructed that at the time for striking it gives forth sounds resembling the cry of the cuckoo.
  • Cuckoo dove (Zool.), a long-tailed pigeon of the genus Macropygia. Many species inhabit the East Indies.
  • Cuckoo fish (Zool.), the European red gurnard ({Trigla cuculus}). The name probably alludes to the sound that it utters.
  • Cuckoo falcon (Zool.), any falcon of the genus Baza. The genus inhabits Africa and the East Indies.
  • Cuckoo maid (Zool.), the wryneck; -- called also {cuckoo mate}.
  • Cuckoo ray (Zool.), a British ray (Raia miraletus).
  • Cuckoo spit, or Cuckoo spittle. (a) A frothy secretion found upon plants, exuded by the larvae of certain insects, for concealment; -- called also toad spittle and frog spit. (b) (Zool.) A small hemipterous insect, the larva of which, living on grass and the leaves of plants, exudes this secretion. The insects belong to Aphrophora, Helochara, and allied genera.
  • Ground cuckoo, the chaparral cock. [1913 Webster]