Stake-driver \Stake"-driv`er\ (-dr[imac]v`[~e]r), n. (Zool.)
   The common American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus); -- so
   called because one of its notes resembles the sound made in
   driving a stake into the mud. Called also meadow hen, and
   Indian hen.
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Meadow \Mead"ow\, a.
   Of or pertaining to a meadow; of the nature of a meadow;
   produced, growing, or living in, a meadow. "Fat meadow
   ground." --Milton.
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   Note: For many names of plants compounded with meadow, see
         the particular word in the Vocabulary.
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   Meadow beauty. (Bot.) Same as Deergrass.

   Meadow foxtail (Bot.), a valuable pasture grass
      (Alopecurus pratensis) resembling timothy, but with
      softer spikes.

   Meadow hay, a coarse grass, or true sedge, growing in
      uncultivated swamp or river meadow; -- used as fodder or
      bedding for cattle, packing for ice, etc. [Local, U. S.]
      

   Meadow hen. (Zool.)
   (a) The American bittern. See Stake-driver.
   (b) The American coot (Fulica).
   (c) The clapper rail.

   Meadow mouse (Zool.), any mouse of the genus Arvicola, as
      the common American species Arvicola riparia; -- called
      also field mouse, and field vole.

   Meadow mussel (Zool.), an American ribbed mussel (Modiola
      plicatula), very abundant in salt marshes.

   Meadow ore (Min.), bog-iron ore, a kind of limonite.

   Meadow parsnip. (Bot.) See under Parsnip.

   Meadow pink. (Bot.) See under Pink.

   Meadow pipit (Zool.), a small singing bird of the genus
      Anthus, as Anthus pratensis, of Europe.

   Meadow rue (Bot.), a delicate early plant, of the genus
      Thalictrum, having compound leaves and numerous white
      flowers. There are many species.

   Meadow saffron. (Bot.) See under Saffron.

   Meadow sage. (Bot.) See under Sage.

   Meadow saxifrage (Bot.), an umbelliferous plant of Europe
      (Silaus pratensis), somewhat resembling fennel.

   Meadow snipe (Zool.), the common or jack snipe.
      [1913 Webster] meadowgrass

Bittern \Bit"tern\, n. [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.
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   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 Botaurus lentiginosus, and is also called
         stake-driver and meadow hen. See Stake-driver.
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   Note: The name is applied to other related birds, as the
         least bittern (Ardetta exilis), and the sun
         bittern.
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