The Collaborative International Dictionary
Woodcock \Wood"cock`\, n. [AS. wuducoc.]
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(Zo["o]l.) 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.
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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Fig.: A simpleton. [Obs.] 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. Little woodcock.
The common American snipe.
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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.