Eiderducks

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A group of sea ducks belonging to the genus Somateria, known for their soft down feathers used in insulation
2. Birds found primarily in northern coastal regions, recognized for their striking plumage and nesting habits
3. Aquatic birds characterized by their ability to dive for food and their seasonal migrations in search of breeding grounds

Etymology: The plural "eiderducks" is simply "eider ducks" written as one word, with the plural ending added to "duck." The "duck" part comes from Old English "duce," which is tied to "ducan," meaning "to dive," a fitting origin for a bird defined by its underwater foraging. "Eider" is a borrowing from the Scandinavian languages, most likely from Icelandic "æðr," the name of the bird. The name became attached to eiderdown, the soft down the female birds pluck from their own breasts to line their nests, which Icelandic has as "æðardúnn." English speakers took "eider" from that trade in down, so the word for the bird in English is really a name borrowed for its most valuable product.

Synonyms: ducks