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Webster 1913 Edition

Bittern

Bit′tern

,
Noun.
[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.
☞ 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
.
The name is applied to other related birds, as the
least bittern
(
Ardetta exilis
), and the
sun bittern
.

Bit′tern

,
Noun.
[From
Bitter
,
Adj.
]
1.
The brine which remains in salt works after the salt is concreted, having a bitter taste from the chloride of magnesium which it contains.
2.
A very bitter compound of quassia, cocculus Indicus, etc., used by fraudulent brewers in adulterating beer.
Cooley.

Webster 1828 Edition

Bittern

BIT'TERN

,
Noun.
A fowl of the grallic order, the Ardea stellaris, a native of Europe. This fowl has long legs and neck, and stalks among reeds and sedge, feeding upon fish. It makes a singular noise, called by Dryden bumping, and by Goldsmith booming.

BIT'TERN

,
Noun.
[from bitter.] In salt works, the brine remaining after the salt is concreted. This being laded off,and the salt taken out of the pan, is returned, and being again boiled, yields more salt. It is used in the preparation of Epsom salt, the sulphate of magnesia, and of Glauber's salt, the sulphate of soda.

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