eider

[ ahy-der ]

noun

1. eider duck.
2. eiderdown.

eider

/ ˈaɪdə /

noun

1. any of several sea ducks of the genus Somateria, esp S. mollissima, and related genera, which occur in the N hemisphere. The male has black and white plumage, and the female is the source of eiderdown

Word History and Origins

Origin of eider¹

1735–45; < Icelandic æthar (in 18th century spelled ædar ), genitive singular of æthur eider duck, in phrase ædar dūnn down of the eider duck; spelling eider < German or Swedish

Word History and Origins

Origin of eider¹

C18: from Old Norse æthr; related to Swedish ejder, Dutch, German Eider

Example Sentences

The first, which peaked in March 2022, primarily affected raptors, while the second, which began in June, hit gulls and sea ducks known as eiders.

From New York Times

The road would traverse a narrow isthmus densely dotted with shallow fresh water ponds that separates lagoons holding the world’s largest eel grass beds vital to emperor geese, brant and eiders.

From Seattle Times

The state is swimming with sea ducks, including six-pound eiders that eat their weight in mussels every day.

From Scientific American

Izembek Lagoon holds one of the world’s largest beds of eelgrass, a rich food source for Pacific brant geese, endangered Steller’s eider sea ducks and other migratory birds.

From Seattle Times

The culprit was avian cholera, a disease not previously detected in these high latitudes, and one that elsewhere rarely fells seabirds such as thick-billed murres, auklets, common eiders, northern fulmars and gulls.

From Los Angeles Times