Hypertext Webster Gateway: "bittern"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Bittern
is found three times in connection with the desolations to come
upon Babylon, Idumea, and Nineveh (Isa. 14:23; 34:11; Zeph.
2:14). This bird belongs to the class of cranes. Its scientific
name is Botaurus stellaris. It is a solitary bird, frequenting
marshy ground. The Hebrew word (kippod) thus rendered in the
Authorized Version is rendered "porcupine" in the Revised
Version. But in the passages noted the kippod is associated with
birds, with pools of water, and with solitude and desolation.
This favours the idea that not the "porcupine" but the "bittern"
is really intended by the word.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Bittern \Bit"tern\, n. [OE. bitoure, betore, bitter, fr. F.
butor; of unknown origin.] (Zo["o]l.)
A wading bird of the genus {Botaurus}, allied to the herons,
of various species.
Note: 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 {B. lentiginosus}, and is also called
{stake-driver} and {meadow hen}. See {Stake-driver}.
Note: The name is applied to other related birds, as the
{least bittern} ({Ardetta exilis}), and the {sun
bittern}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Bittern \Bit"tern\, n. [From {Bitter}, a.]
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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
bittern
n : relatively small compact tawny-brown heron with nocturnal
habits and a booming cry; found in marshes
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