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Nectris brevicaudus

Mutton \Mut"ton\, n. [OE. motoun, OF. moton, molton, a sheep, wether, F. mouton, LL. multo, by transposition of l fr. L. mutilus mutilated. See Mutilate.]

  1. A sheep. [Obs.]
    --Chapman.

    Not so much ground as will feed a mutton.
    --Sir H. Sidney.

    Muttons, beeves, and porkers are good old words for the living quadrupeds.
    --Hallam.

  2. The flesh of a sheep.

    The fat of roasted mutton or beef.
    --Swift.

  3. A loose woman; a prostitute. [Obs.]

    Mutton bird (Zo["o]l.), the Australian short-tailed petrel ( Nectris brevicaudus).

    Mutton chop, a rib of mutton for broiling, with the end of the bone at the smaller part chopped off.

    Mutton fish (Zo["o]l.), the American eelpout. See Eelpout.

    Mutton fist, a big brawny fist or hand. [Colloq.]
    --Dryden.

    Mutton monger, a pimp. [Low & Obs.]
    --Chapman.

    To return to one's muttons. [A translation of a phrase from a farce by De Brueys, revenons [`a] nos moutons let us return to our sheep.] To return to one's topic, subject of discussion, etc. [Humorous]

    I willingly return to my muttons.
    --H. R. Haweis.