GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Scoter , n. [Cf. Prov. E. scote to plow up.] (Zool.) Any one of several species of northern sea ducks of the genus Oidemia.
   1913 Webster
   ☞ The European scoters are Oidemia nigra, called also black duck, black diver, surf duck; and the velvet, or double, scoter (Oidemia fusca). The common American species are the velvet, or white-winged, scoter (Oidemia Deglandi), called also velvet duck, white-wing, bull coot, white-winged coot; the black scoter (Oidemia Americana), called also black coot, butterbill, coppernose; and the surf scoter, or surf duck (Oidemia perspicillata), called also baldpate, skunkhead, horsehead, patchhead, pishaug, and spectacled coot. These birds are collectively called also coots. The females and young are called gray coots, and brown coots.
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

2.       
   Velvet , n. [OE. velouette, veluet, velwet; cf. OF. velluau, LL. velluetum, vellutum, It. velluto, Sp. velludo; all fr. (assumed) LL. villutus shaggy, fr L. villus shaggy hair; akin to vellus a fleece, and E. wool. See Wool, and cf. Villous.]
   1913 Webster
   A silk fabric, having a short, close nap of erect threads. Inferior qualities are made with a silk pile on a cotton or linen back, or with other soft fibers such as nylon, acetate, or rayon.
   1913 Webster
    + 
   PJC
   The soft and highly vascular deciduous skin which envelops and nourishes the antlers of deer during their rapid growth.
   1913 Webster
   Something likened to velvet{1} in being soft or luxurious; as, a lawn of velvet.
   PJC
   Cotton velvet, an imitation of velvet, made of cotton. -- Velvet cork, the best kind of cork bark, supple, elastic, and not woody or porous. -- Velvet crab (Zool.), a European crab (Portunus puber). When adult the black carapace is covered with a velvety pile. Called also lady crab, and velvet fiddler. -- Velvet dock (Bot.), the common mullein. -- Velvet duck. (Zool.) (a) A large European sea duck, or scoter (Oidemia fusca). The adult male is glossy, velvety black, with a white speculum on each wing, and a white patch behind each eye. (b) The American whitewinged scoter. See Scoter. -- Velvet flower (Bot.), love-lies-bleeding. See under Love. -- Velvet grass (Bot.), a tall grass (Holcus lanatus) with velvety stem and leaves; -- called also soft grass. -- Velvet runner (Zool.), the water rail; -- so called from its quiet, stealthy manner of running. [Prov. Eng.] -- Velvet scoter. (Zool.) Same as Velvet duck, above. -- Velvet sponge. (Zool.) See under Sponge. -- in velvet having a coating of velvet{2} over the antlers; in the annual stage where the antlers are still growing; -- of deer. 
   1913 Webster
    + 
   PJC