turkey vulture

turkey vulture
Turkey Tur"key, n.; pl. {Turkeys}. [So called because it was formerly erroneously believed that it came originally from Turkey: cf. F. Turquie Turkey. See {Turk}.] (Zo["o]l.) Any large American gallinaceous bird belonging to the genus {Meleagris}, especially the North American wild turkey ({Meleagris gallopavo}), and the domestic turkey, which was probably derived from the Mexican wild turkey, but had been domesticated by the Indians long before the discovery of America. [1913 Webster]

Note: The Mexican wild turkey is now considered a variety of the northern species (var. Mexicana). Its tall feathers and coverts are tipped with white instead of brownish chestnut, and its flesh is white. The Central American, or ocellated, turkey ({Meleagris ocellata}) is more elegantly colored than the common species. See under {Ocellated}. The Australian, or native, turkey is a bustard ({Choriotis australis}). See under {Native}. [1913 Webster]

{Turkey beard} (Bot.), a name of certain American perennial liliaceous herbs of the genus {Xerophyllum}. They have a dense tuft of hard, narrowly linear radical leaves, and a long raceme of small whitish flowers. Also called {turkey's beard}.

{Turkey berry} (Bot.), a West Indian name for the fruit of certain kinds of nightshade ({Solanum mammosum}, and {Solanum torvum}).

{Turkey bird} (Zo["o]l.), the wryneck. So called because it erects and ruffles the feathers of its neck when disturbed. [Prov. Eng.]

{Turkey buzzard} (Zo["o]l.), a black or nearly black buzzard ({Cathartes aura}), abundant in the Southern United States. It is so called because its naked and warty head and neck resemble those of a turkey. Its is noted for its high and graceful flight. Called also {turkey vulture}.

{Turkey cock} (Zo["o]l.), a male turkey.

{Turkey hen} (Zo["o]l.), a female turkey.

{Turkey pout} (Zo["o]l.), a young turkey. [R.]

{Turkey vulture} (Zo["o]l.), the turkey buzzard. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Turkey vulture — Turkey Tur key, n.; pl. {Turkeys}. [So called because it was formerly erroneously believed that it came originally from Turkey: cf. F. Turquie Turkey. See {Turk}.] (Zo[ o]l.) Any large American gallinaceous bird belonging to the genus {Meleagris} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • turkey vulture — n. a dark colored vulture (Cathartes aura) of temperate and tropical America, resembling a turkey in having a naked, reddish head: also called turkey buzzard …   English World dictionary

  • Turkey Vulture — Taxobox name = Turkey Vulture status = LC status system = iucn3.1 status ref = regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata classis = Aves ordo = Incertae sedis (disputed) familia = Cathartidae genus = Cathartes species = C. aura binomial = Cathartes aura …   Wikipedia

  • turkey vulture — a blackish brown vulture, Cathartes aura, from the southern U.S. to South America, having a bare, wrinkled, red head and neck. Also called turkey buzzard. See illus. under vulture. [1815 25, Amer.] * * * or turkey buzzard Species (Cathartes aura) …   Universalium

  • turkey vulture — paprastasis kalakutinis grifas statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Cathartes aura angl. turkey vulture vok. Truthahngeier, m rus. гриф индейка, m; катарта индейка, f pranc. urubu à tête rouge, m ryšiai: platesnis terminas –… …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • turkey vulture — noun a New World vulture that is common in South America and Central America and the southern United States • Syn: ↑buzzard, ↑turkey buzzard, ↑Cathartes aura • Hypernyms: ↑New World vulture, ↑cathartid • Member Holonyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • turkey vulture — noun Date: 1823 an American vulture (Cathartes aura) with a red head and whitish bill called also turkey buzzard …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • turkey vulture — noun A common North American vulture, Cathartes aura …   Wiktionary

  • turkey vulture — noun a common American vulture with black plumage and a bare red head. [Cathartes aura.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • turkey vulture — tur′key vul ture n. orn a blackish brown New World vulture, Cathartes aura, with a bare, wrinkled red head and neck Also called tur′key buz zard. • Etymology: 1815–25, amer …   From formal English to slang

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”