'least bittern' definitions:
Definition of 'least bittern'
From: WordNet
noun
Small American bittern [syn: least bittern, Ixobrychus exilis]
Definition of 'least bittern'
From: GCIDE
- Bittern \Bit"tern\, n. [OE. bitoure, betore, bitter, fr. F. butor; of unknown origin.] (Zool.) A wading bird of the genus Botaurus, allied to the herons, of various species. [1913 Webster]
- Note: 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 stake-driver and meadow hen. See Stake-driver. [1913 Webster]
- Note: The name is applied to other related birds, as the least bittern (Ardetta exilis), and the {sun bittern}. [1913 Webster]