loon
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -uːn
[edit] Etymology 1
from Middle English loun
- popular etymology associates it slang-wise with lunatic, see loony.
[edit] Noun
loon (plural loons)
- idler, lout
- (chiefly Scotland, Ulster) boy, lad
- (chiefly Scotland) harlot; mistress
- (chiefly Scotland) simpleton; (also (slang)) crazy or deranged person.
- (Ireland) English Soldier of an expeditionary army in Ireland.
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] See also
[edit] Translations
a crazy person
[edit] Etymology 2
Of Scandinavian origin, akin to Old Norse lómr (“loon”), compare lament.
[edit] Noun
loon (plural loons)
- Any of various birds, of the order Gaviiformes, of North America and Europe that dive for fish and have a short tail, webbed feet and a yodeling cry.
[edit] Synonyms
- (bird of order Gaviiformes): diver
[edit] Derived terms
- Black-throated Loon, Gavia arctica
- great northern loon, common loon, Gavia immer
- Pacific Loon, Gavia pacifica
- Red-throated Loon, Gavia stellata
- Yellow-billed Loon, Gavia adamsii
[edit] Translations
bird of order Gaviiformes
[edit] References
- Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield, Massachusetts, G.&C. Merriam Co., 1967
[edit] Dutch
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
loon n. (plural lonen, diminutive loontje)
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Verb
loon
[edit] Scots
[edit] Noun
loon (plural loons)
