velvet duck

2 definitions found

velvet duck - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Scoter \Sco"ter\, n. [Cf. Prov. E. scote to plow up.] (Zool.)
     Any one of several species of northern sea ducks of the genus
     Oidemia.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The European scoters are Oidemia nigra, called also
           black duck, black diver, surf duck; and the
           velvet, or double, scoter (Oidemia fusca). The common
           American species are the velvet, or white-winged,
           scoter (Oidemia Deglandi), called also velvet duck,
           white-wing, bull coot, white-winged coot; the
           black scoter (Oidemia Americana), called also black coot
           , butterbill, coppernose; and the surf scoter,
           or surf duck (Oidemia perspicillata), called also
           baldpate, skunkhead, horsehead, patchhead,
           pishaug, and spectacled coot. These birds are
           collectively called also coots. The females and young
           are called gray coots, and brown coots.
           [1913 Webster]

  Velvet \Vel"vet\, n. [OE. velouette, veluet, velwet; cf. OF.
     velluau, LL. velluetum, vellutum, It. velluto, Sp. velludo;
     all fr. (assumed) LL. villutus shaggy, fr L. villus shaggy
     hair; akin to vellus a fleece, and E. wool. See Wool, and
     cf. Villous.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. A silk fabric, having a short, close nap of erect threads.
        Inferior qualities are made with a silk pile on a cotton
        or linen back, or with other soft fibers such as nylon,
        acetate, or rayon.
        [1913 Webster + PJC]
  
     2. The soft and highly vascular deciduous skin which envelops
        and nourishes the antlers of deer during their rapid
        growth.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Something likened to velvet[1] in being soft or luxurious;
        as, a lawn of velvet.
        [PJC]
  
     Cotton velvet, an imitation of velvet, made of cotton.
  
     Velvet cork, the best kind of cork bark, supple, elastic,
        and not woody or porous.
  
     Velvet crab (Zool.), a European crab (Portunus puber).
        When adult the black carapace is covered with a velvety
        pile. Called also lady crab, and velvet fiddler.
  
     Velvet dock (Bot.), the common mullein.
  
     Velvet duck. (Zool.)
        (a) A large European sea duck, or scoter (Oidemia  fusca
            ). The adult male is glossy, velvety black, with
            a white speculum on each wing, and a white patch
            behind each eye.
        (b) The American whitewinged scoter. See Scoter.
  
     Velvet flower (Bot.), love-lies-bleeding. See under Love.
        
  
     Velvet grass (Bot.), a tall grass (Holcus lanatus) with
        velvety stem and leaves; -- called also soft grass.
  
     Velvet runner (Zool.), the water rail; -- so called from
        its quiet, stealthy manner of running. [Prov. Eng.]
  
     Velvet scoter. (Zool.) Same as Velvet duck, above.
  
     Velvet sponge. (Zool.) See under Sponge.
  
     in velvet having a coating of velvet[2] over the antlers;
        in the annual stage where the antlers are still growing;
        -- of deer.
        [1913 Webster + PJC]