noun
eider
EYE-der/ˈaɪdər/
A northern sea duck valued for its soft down.
The male eider stands beside the female on her down-lined nest.
Etymology
The Old Norse ancestor means “duck.” In English, the inherited bird name identifies the particular northern sea duck valued for its soft down.
More examples
- Several eiders swim near the rocky shore.
- A female eider lines her nest with soft down.
- We watch an eider crack open a mussel.
Forms
eider · eiders
eiderdown noun — Soft eider feathers used for insulation.
Similar words
- duck
- A broader term that includes freshwater and sea ducks.