merganser

[ mer-gan-ser ]

noun

, plural mer·gan·sers, (especially collectively) mer·gan·ser.

1. any of several fish-eating diving ducks of the subfamily Merginae, having a narrow bill hooked at the tip and serrated at the edges.

merganser

/ mɜːˈɡænsə /

noun

1. any of several typically crested large marine diving ducks of the genus Mergus, having a long slender hooked bill with serrated edges Also calledsawbill See also goosander

Word History and Origins

Origin of merganser¹

1745–55; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin merg ( us ) diver, a kind of water bird + ānser goose

Word History and Origins

Origin of merganser¹

C18: from New Latin, from Latin mergus waterfowl, from mergere to plunge + anser goose

Example Sentences

Until now, the evolutionary relationship between the Southern Hemisphere mergansers, when their ancestors arrived in the region, and from where, have been unknown.

From Science Daily

Female mergansers do a couple of interesting things that help explain how one duck could have 76 ducklings following her.

From NewsForKids.net

Potential bird sightings include gadwalls and buffleheads, dazzling ducks like the common goldeneye and the red-breasted merganser and tons of gulls, including the laughing gull and the ring-billed gull.

From New York Times

They are part of this spring’s baby bird boom at the zoo, along with a recent Orinoco goose hatchling and five merganser ducklings born this week.

From Seattle Times

After surging out of the rapid, we passed a flock of beautiful merganser ducks and Canada geese balancing on one foot.

From Seattle Times