Exact Match for "eider"
- eider⇄eider, noun.
1. eider duck.
2. eider down (def. 1).
Starts With "eider"
- eider down⇄eider down?,oreiderdown, noun.
1. the soft feathers from the breasts of eider ducks, used to stuff pillows and quilts, and as trimming; eider.
2. a quilt stuffed with these feathers. - eider duck⇄eider duck
any one of several large, northern sea ducks with very soft feathers on their breasts. The males are black with white heads and backs. The females line their nests with eider down plucked from their breasts. - eider yarn⇄eider yarn
a soft yarn made from merino wool.
Ends With "eider"
- king eider⇄king eider
a type of eider duck found along the northern coasts of North America and Europe. The adult male has a large orange knob on the forehead. - northern eider⇄northern eider
a variety of eider duck of northeastern North America and Greenland, black and white in the male and brown in the female. - schneider⇄noun the act or fact of schneidering.
Ex. Australia frankly anticipates that the challenge round will be a rout, a schneider, a kick in the pants (Newsweek). - schneider⇄schneider, verb, noun.
- schneider⇄v.t. (in various card games) to beat (an opponent) by a decisive margin, usually by taking all possible points.
Ex. I'm going to schneider you (New Yorker). - Steller's eider⇄Steller's eider,
an eider duck of the northern polar regions, the male of which has a white head, black collar, and black rings around the eyes.
Eider
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/ˈaɪdər/
Definitions
1. A species of duck, particularly the common eider (Somateria mollissima), known for its soft down feathers, which are used in bedding products such as comforters and pillows.
2. The soft, insulating down feathers of the eider duck, which are highly valued for their warmth and lightness.
Usage Examples
- "The eider duck’s down feathers are highly prized for making luxurious bedding."
- "The hunters collected the eider feathers to sell them to bedding manufacturers."
- "Eider ducks are commonly found in colder northern regions, where their down helps them stay warm."
Etymology
The word "eider" comes from the Icelandic word "eyðr," which refers to a type of duck. The name was adopted into Old English and has remained in use since the Middle Ages, especially in reference to the bird's soft down. It is believed to have Scandinavian origins and has been used to describe the bird as well as the down feathers it produces.
Synonyms
- Duck
- Waterfowl
- Sea duck
Antonyms
- Land bird
- Terrestrial bird
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Pato eider | /ˈpɑːtoʊ ˈaɪdər/ |
| French | Canard eider | /ka.nɑʁ ɛ.dɛʁ/ |
| German | Eiderente | /ˈaɪdɐˌʔɛntə/ |
| Italian | Anatra eider | /ˈanatɾa ˈajdɛr/ |
| Portuguese | Pato eider | /ˈpatu ˈaɪdər/ |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 海鸭 | /hǎi yā/ |
| Arabic | بطة آيدر | /battat āydar/ |
| Russian | Эйдер | /ˈɛjdər/ |
| Japanese | アイダーダック | /aidā dakku/ |
| Korean | 아이더 | /aideo/ |
| Hindi | आइडर बतख | /ā'idar batakh/ |
| Bengali | আইডার হাঁস | /ā'idar hām̐s/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
In some regions, the pronunciation of "eider" may be slightly altered, particularly in Scandinavian countries, where it might be pronounced as /ˈɛɪdə/ or with an emphasis on the second syllable. In the US and UK, it is more commonly pronounced as /ˈaɪdər/.
Historical Usage
The eider duck has been highly valued for its down feathers since the medieval period. The collection of eider down was an important industry in Scandinavia and the North Atlantic islands, where people would harvest the down from the ducks’ nests. In historical texts, eiders were often seen as a symbol of northern resilience due to their ability to thrive in cold, harsh environments.
Cultural Nuances
In northern cultures, the eider duck and its down feathers hold cultural significance. The practice of harvesting eider down from wild ducks was not only a practical source of income but also a deeply embedded tradition in some Scandinavian and Icelandic communities. The down was used to create warm bedding, which was crucial for survival in colder climates. Eider ducks are also symbolically associated with the frigid northern seas and have been part of folklore in these regions.
More Information
The eider duck is an important part of both ecological and economic life in certain cold regions, particularly in the Nordic countries. The bird is known for its resilience and ability to survive in harsh, freezing conditions. While the collection of eider down has become more regulated and less common, the bird still holds a place in popular culture as a symbol of the northern wilderness. Eiders are also protected in many areas today, where their populations are carefully monitored to prevent overharvesting.