Muscovy duck
- noun
- /ˈmʌskəvi dʌk/
- US
:
pato moscovita
Examples
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Standard poultry crates can be used to transport Muscovy ducks.
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Duck-Duck is a six-month-old Muscovy duck.
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The lean, tender meat of the midsized Muscovy duck is prized by chefs for its rich flavor.
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Many farmers choose to raise Muscovy ducks because they are great for pest control in their gardens.
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In some cultures, the eggs of the Muscovy duck are considered a delicacy and are often featured in traditional dishes.
Synonyms
A large crested duck from Central and South America that people keep for meat and eggs
A large wild duck with a crest that people raise for meat and eggs
Surface Forms
Morphology
Muscovy + duck
The noun is a straightforward place-name/breed modifier + animal: 'Muscovy' specifies origin or type and 'duck' names the animal, so the meaning 'a duck from or associated with Muscovy' is directly compositional. This place-name + noun pattern is a common, regular English compound formation, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer it denotes a type of duck.
Etymology
The compound noun Muscovy duck may come from early European traders. One popular story says traders sold these American birds as exotic items and used the name Muscovy, an old name for part of Russia, to make them sound special, so people thought the duck came from there. That's why the name is confusing: the duck is actually 'from the Americas'.
