egret

views updated Jun 27 2018

e·gret / ˈēgrit; ˈēˌgret; ˈegrit/ • n. a heron (genera Egretta and Bubulcus) with mainly white plumage, having long plumes in the breeding season.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

egret

views updated May 14 2018

egret White heron of temperate and tropical marshy regions. It is known for its plumes. Egrets are long-legged, long-necked, slender-bodied, wading birds with dagger-like bills. They feed on small animals and nest in colonies. Height: 50–100cm (20–40in). Family Ardeidae; genus Egretta.

World Encyclopedia

egret

views updated Jun 11 2018

egret white heron. XV. — AN. egrette, (O)F. aigrette — Pr. aigreta, f. stem of aigron, corr. to (O)F. héron HERON; see -ET.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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