Coot

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Coot \Coot\ (k[=oo]t), n. [Cf. D. koet, W. cwtair; cwta short,
     bodtailed + iar hen; cf. cwtau to dock. Cf. {Cut}.]
     1. (Zool.)
        (a) A wading bird with lobate toes, of the genus {Fulica}.
            The common European or bald coot is {Fulica atra} (see
            under {bald}); the American is {Fulica Americana}.


        (b) The surf duck or scoter. In the United States all the
            species of ({[OE]demia} are called coots. See
            {Scoter}. "As simple as a coot." --Halliwell.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A stupid fellow; a simpleton; as, a silly coot. [Colloq.]
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  coot
       n : slaty-black slow-flying birds somewhat resembling ducks