The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Stake-driver \Stake"-driv`er\ (-dr[imac]v`[~e]r), n. (Zool.)
The common American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus); -- so
called because one of its notes resembles the sound made in
driving a stake into the mud. Called also meadow hen, and
Indian hen.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Meadow \Mead"ow\, a.
Of or pertaining to a meadow; of the nature of a meadow;
produced, growing, or living in, a meadow. "Fat meadow
ground." --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
Note: For many names of plants compounded with meadow, see
the particular word in the Vocabulary.
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Meadow beauty. (Bot.) Same as Deergrass.
Meadow foxtail (Bot.), a valuable pasture grass
(Alopecurus pratensis) resembling timothy, but with
softer spikes.
Meadow hay, a coarse grass, or true sedge, growing in
uncultivated swamp or river meadow; -- used as fodder or
bedding for cattle, packing for ice, etc. [Local, U. S.]
Meadow hen. (Zool.)
(a) The American bittern. See Stake-driver.
(b) The American coot (Fulica).
(c) The clapper rail.
Meadow mouse (Zool.), any mouse of the genus Arvicola, as
the common American species Arvicola riparia; -- called
also field mouse, and field vole.
Meadow mussel (Zool.), an American ribbed mussel (Modiola
plicatula), very abundant in salt marshes.
Meadow ore (Min.), bog-iron ore, a kind of limonite.
Meadow parsnip. (Bot.) See under Parsnip.
Meadow pink. (Bot.) See under Pink.
Meadow pipit (Zool.), a small singing bird of the genus
Anthus, as Anthus pratensis, of Europe.
Meadow rue (Bot.), a delicate early plant, of the genus
Thalictrum, having compound leaves and numerous white
flowers. There are many species.
Meadow saffron. (Bot.) See under Saffron.
Meadow sage. (Bot.) See under Sage.
Meadow saxifrage (Bot.), an umbelliferous plant of Europe
(Silaus pratensis), somewhat resembling fennel.
Meadow snipe (Zool.), the common or jack snipe.
[1913 Webster] meadowgrass
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bittern \Bit"tern\, n. [OE. bitoure, betore, bitter, fr. F.
butor; of unknown origin.] (Zool.)
A wading bird of the genus Botaurus, allied to the herons,
of various species.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The common European bittern is Botaurus stellaris. It
makes, during the brooding season, a noise called by
Dryden bumping, and by Goldsmith booming. The American
bittern is Botaurus lentiginosus, and is also called
stake-driver and meadow hen. See Stake-driver.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The name is applied to other related birds, as the
least bittern (Ardetta exilis), and the sun
bittern.
[1913 Webster]