sheldrake

American  

[shel-dreyk] / ˈʃɛlˌdreɪk /

noun

plural

sheldrakes,

plural

sheldrake

1. any of several Old World ducks of the genus Tadorna, certain species of which have highly variegated plumage.

2. any of various other ducks, especially the goosander or merganser.

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Etymology

Origin of sheldrake

1275–1325; Middle English sheldedrake, equivalent to sheld particolored + drake drake ¹

Example Sentences

A northern term for the sheldrake, Tadorna vulpanser.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

There were several species of land birds; and the aquatic fowl were ducks, teal, and the sheldrake.

From A Voyage to Terra Australis — Volume 1 by Flinders, Matthew

He will find there in proper season the canvas-back, mallard, teal, white-winged coot, sheldrake, etc.

From Nooks and Corners of the New England Coast by Drake, Samuel Adams

Or that I can dive down at one side of a Highland loch and come up at the other like a sheldrake?

From Red Cap Tales Stolen from the Treasure Chest of the Wizard of the North by Scott, Walter, Sir

It is possible that Drake may sometimes represent Anglo-Sax. draca, dragon, rather than the bird, but the latter is unmistakable in Sheldrick, for sheldrake.

From The Romance of Names by Weekley, Ernest