scaup duck
- noun
- /skaʊp dʌk/
- US
:
pato scaup
- The male scaup duck is easily recognized by its striking black-and-white plumage and bluish-grey bill.
Examples
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Flocks of scaup duck can often be seen migrating across the Great Lakes in spring.
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During winter, scaup duck gather in large numbers along the Atlantic coast.
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The scaup duck is known for its distinctive coloration.
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Did you see the scaup ducks at the lake yesterday?
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During winter, scaup duck gather in large numbers along the Atlantic coast.
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Flocks of scaup duck can often be seen migrating across the Great Lakes in spring.
-
The male scaup duck is easily recognized by its striking black-and-white plumage and bluish-grey bill.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A medium-sized diving duck with a blue-grey bill found in North America, Europe and Asia
1
7.4
A diving duck with a purplish head often seen in lakes
A North American diving duck with a bluish-grey bill
A medium diving bird whose male has a purple head and a blue bill
A North American diving duck whose males have a shiny purplish head
A large North American diving duck whose male has a greenish head
A large diving duck found in North America and northern Eurasia whose males have a greenish shine on their heads
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a straightforward referential compound: 'scaup' names a specific type of diving duck and 'duck' is the general bird category, so the noun phrase simply denotes that species. The meaning is descriptive and non-idiomatic, so a learner who knows both constituents can derive the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Scaup duck may come from old northern words meaning 'to scoop', because these ducks dive and scoop up shellfish and plants from the water bottom. That's why the name fits a diving duck you can see on lakes and along the coast.