cormorant

[kawr-mer-uhnt]

noun

1. any of several voracious, totipalmate seabirds of the family Phalacrocoracidae, as Phalacrocorax carbo, of America, Europe, and Asia, having a long neck and a distensible pouch under the bill for holding captured fish, used in China for catching fish.

2. a greedy person.

cormorant

/ ˈkɔːmərənt /

noun

1. any aquatic bird of the family Phalacrocoracidae, of coastal and inland waters, having a dark plumage, a long neck and body, and a slender hooked beak: order Pelecaniformes (pelicans, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cormorant¹

1300–50; Middle English cormera ( u ) nt < Middle French cormorant, Old French cormareng < Late Latin corvus marīnus sea-raven. See corbel, marine

Word History and Origins

Origin of cormorant¹

C13: from Old French cormareng, from corp raven, from Latin corvus + -mareng of the sea, from Latin mare sea

Example Sentences

And populations of once-numerous birds such as American white pelicans, double-breasted cormorants and eared grebes have declined.

From Los Angeles Times

Both rescue centers are also treating other seabirds ill from domoic acid, including the western grebes, brandt’s cormorants and red-throated loons, but brown pelicans have most frequently been sick.

From Los Angeles Times

Double-crested cormorants are colonial nesters, meaning they build nests close together, usually in large numbers, and in elevated areas near water as their diet consists of various fish, according to the National Park Service.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, the pond was murky, and a cormorant stood hunting at the water’s edge.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2018, there were also claims that Australians tried to rig the contest in favour of the shag - a species of cormorant.

From BBC

Related Words

• pig