martineta

noun

mar·​ti·​ne·​ta
ˌmärtᵊnˈātə,
-ˈētə
plural -s
: an Argentine tinamou (Eudromias elegans) with a long slender crest

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, probably from Spanish martinete night heron, probably after Saint Martin (San Martín) around whose feast day the night herons migrate; from the similarity of the crests of the night heron and the martineta

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near martineta

Cite this Entry

“Martineta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martineta. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!