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

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near martineta

Cite this Entry

“Martineta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martineta. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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