dotterel

American  

[dot-er-uhl] / ˈdɒt ər əl /

Also dottrel

noun

1. any of several plovers usually inhabiting upland areas, especially Eudromias morinellus, of Europe and Asia.

2. British Dialect. a silly, stupid person, especially one who is easily duped.

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dotterel British  

/ ˈdɒtrəl /

noun

1. a rare Eurasian plover, Eudromias morinellus, with reddish-brown underparts and white bands around the head and neck

2. any similar and related bird, esp of the genus Charadrius

3. dialect a person who is foolish or easily duped

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Etymology

Origin of dotterel

First recorded in 1400–50, dotterel is from the late Middle English word dotrelle. See dote, -rel

Example Sentences

Scotland is home to Arctic specialists - birds like dotterel, snow bunting and ptarmigan - which are found high on Scotland's mountains.

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2022

These include the golden oriole, pied flycatcher, sand-grouse, dotterel, hoopoe, short-toed lark, moustached grass-warbler, and rose-coloured pastor.

From The Little Gleaner, Vol. X. A Monthly Magazine for the Young by Various

Do but hear the chiming dotterel gabble in rhyme.

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 5 by Motteux, Peter Anthony

Here are, amongst others, the beautiful golden-ringed and dotterel plovers of Europe, and the American noisy plover.

From How to See the British Museum in Four Visits by Jerrold, W. Blanchard

A dotterel goes plaintively piping over the stones, and the "cheep, cheep," of the awakening ling-birds rises from every brae.

From The Confessions of a Poacher by Anonymous