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Glite Dictionary
European cuckoo

European cuckoo

4.3
A common European bird with a loud two-note call that lays eggs in other birds' nests
  • noun
  • /ˌjʊərəˈpiːən ˈkʌkuː/
  • UK
translation icon : cuco europeo
  • The European cuckoo is famous for laying its eggs in the nests of other birds.

Examples

  • During spring, the European cuckoo can be heard calling in the forests of Europe.

  • The cuckoo family takes its name from the song of the common or European cuckoo, Cuculus canorus.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Birdwatchers flock to see the European cuckoo due to its unique two-note call.

Synonyms

cuckoo
vsEuropean cuckoo
23 4.4

A bird with a loud, clear call that lays eggs in other birds' nests

is limited to one European species rather than the whole group
Cuculus canorus
vsEuropean cuckoo
  • Specialized
9.3

A European bird known for its two-note call that lays eggs in other birds' nests

is the everyday name used instead of the Latin term

Surface Forms

European cuckoo singular
European cuckoos plural

Morphology

European + cuckoo

The meaning is directly compositional: 'European' (from Europe) modifies 'cuckoo' (the bird), so the phrase denotes the cuckoo species found in Europe. This adjectival-modifier + noun pattern is cross-linguistically common and thus predictable for a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

European cuckoo gets its name from its clear two-note call that sounds like 'cuck-oo'. It is also known for laying its eggs in other birds' nests, so the name makes you think of that sound and this nesting habit.