Woodcock \Wood"cock`\, n. [AS. wuducoc.]
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   1. (Zool.) Any one of several species of long-billed
      limicoline birds belonging to the genera Scolopax and
      Philohela. They are mostly nocturnal in their habits,
      and are highly esteemed as game birds.
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   Note: The most important species are the European (Scolopax
         rusticola) and the American woodcock (Philohela
         minor), which agree very closely in appearance and
         habits.
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   2. Fig.: A simpleton. [Obs.]
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            If I loved you not, I would laugh at you, and see
            you
            Run your neck into the noose, and cry, "A woodcock!"
                                                  --Beau. & Fl.
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   Little woodcock.
      (a) The common American snipe.
      (b) The European snipe.

   Sea woodcock fish, the bellows fish.

   Woodcock owl, the short-eared owl (Asio brachyotus).

   Woodcock shell, the shell of certain mollusks of the genus
      Murex, having a very long canal, with or without spines.
      

   Woodcock snipe. See under Snipe.
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