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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



257 words match “AUSTRAL”

CERATODUS n.
known as Mesozoic fossil fishes; but recently two living species have been discovered in Australian rivers. They have lungs so well developed that they can leave the water and breathe in air. In Australia they are called salmon and baramunda. See Dipnoi, and Archipterygium.
CHANNEL n.
ing a section resembling a flat gutter or channel. -- Channel bill (Zoöl.), a very large Australian cucko (Scythrops Novæhollandiæ. -- Channel goose. (Zoöl.) See Gannet.
CLAIM n.
hich any one intends to establish a right; as a settler's claim; a miner's claim. [U.S. & Australia]
COCKATEEL n.
An Australian parrot (Calopsitta Novæ-Hollandiæ); -- so called from its note.
COCKATOO n.
cristatus), the sulphur-crested (P. galeritus), etc. The palm or great black cockatoo of Australia is Microglossus aterrimus. Cock"a*trice, n. Etym: [OF. cocatrice crocodile, F. cocatrix, cocatrice. The word is a corruption from the same source as E. crocodile, but was confused with cock the bird, F. coq, whence arose…
COOEY; COOEE n.
A peculiar whistling sound made by the Australian aborigenes as a call or signal. [Written also cooie.]
CORROBOREE n. 2 definitions
A nocturnal festivity with which the Australian aborigines celebrate tribal events of importance. Symbolic dances are given by the young men of the tribe, while the women act as musicians.
CROW n.
row shrike (Zoöl.), any bird of the genera Gymnorhina, Craticus, or Strepera, mostly from Australia. -- Red-legged crow. See Crough. -- As the crow flies, in a direct line. -- To pick a crow, To pluck a crow, to state and adjust a difference or grievance (with any one).
DAMMARA n.
A large tree of the order Coniferæ, indigenous to the East Indies and Australasia; -- called also Agathis. There are several species.
DASYURE n.
A carnivorous marsupial quadruped of Australia, belonging to the genus Dasyurus. There are several species.
DEATH n.
A venomous Australian snake of the family Elapidæ, of several species, as the Hoplocephalus superbus and Acanthopis antarctica. -- Death bell, a bell that announces a death. The death bell thrice was heard to ring. Mickle. -- Death candle, a light like that of a candle, viewed by the superstitious as presaging death.…
DIGGING n.
Places where ore is dug; especially, certain localities in California, Australia, and elsewhere, at which gold is obtained. [Recent]
DINGO n.
A wild dog found in Australia, but supposed to have introduced at a very early period. It has a wolflike face, bushy tail, and a reddish brown color.
DIPROTODON n.
An extinct Quaternary marsupial from Australia, about as large as the hippopotamus; -- so named because of its two large front teeth. See Illustration in Appendix.
DRONGO n.
. They are usually black with a deeply forked tail. They are natives of Asia, Africa, and Australia; -- called also drongo shrikes.
DRYANDRA n.
A genus of shrubs growing in Australia, having beautiful, hard, dry, evergreen leaves.
DUBOISINE n.
An alkaloid obtained from the leaves of an Australian tree (Duboisia myoporoides), and regarded as identical with hyoscyamine. It produces dilation of the pupil of the eye.
DUCK n.
land: The marsh harrier or moor buzzard. -- Duck mole (Zoöl.), a small aquatic mammal of Australia, having webbed feet and a bill resembling that of a duck (Ornithorhynchus anatinus). It belongs the subclass Monotremata and is remarkable for laying eggs like a bird or reptile; -- called also duckbill, platypus, mallan…
DUGONG n.
manatee, but with a bilobed tail. It inhabits the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, East Indies, and Australia. [Written also duyong.]
ECHIDNA n.
A genus of Monotremata found in Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. They are toothless and covered with spines; -- called also porcupine ant-eater, and Australian ant-eater.
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