Turkeys

2 definitions found

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

  Turkeys \Tur"keys\, a.
     Turkish. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
     [1913 Webster]

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



  Turkey \Tur"key\ (t[^u]r"k[=e]), n.; pl. {Turkeys}. [So called
     because it was formerly erroneously believed that it came
     originally from Turkey: cf. F. Turquie Turkey. See {Turk}.]
     (Zool.)
     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 tail 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} (Zool.), the wryneck. So called because it
        erects and ruffles the feathers of its neck when
        disturbed. [Prov. Eng.]
  
     {Turkey buzzard} (Zool.), 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. It is noted for its
        high and graceful flight. Called also {turkey vulture}.
  
     {Turkey cock} (Zool.), a male turkey.
  
     {Turkey hen} (Zool.), a female turkey.
  
     {Turkey pout} (Zool.), a young turkey. [R.]
  
     {Turkey vulture} (Zool.), the turkey buzzard.
        [1913 Webster]