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Definition of shelduck

shelduck

/ˈʃɛl.dʌk/
shel · duck
Plural:shelducks
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shelduck Lexical Profile

shelduck Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of several large, goose-like waterfowl comprising the genus Tadorna, native largely to coastal and wetland regions of Eurasia, Africa, and Australasia, characterized by their strikingly patterned, brightly colored piebald plumage.

Example

"The birdwatchers gathered at the estuary to observe a flock of common shelducks foraging for invertebrates in the tidal mud."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for shelduck

• Rhymes for shelduck

• Nearby Words

sheila
shekel
sheksna
shelduck
shelf
shelfful
shelflike

Word Origin & Etymology

Originating in the late 16th century, derived from the obsolete dialect word 'sheld', meaning 'pied' or 'variegated', combined with 'duck', in reference to the bird's boldly patterned plumage.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Shelduck. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/shelduck
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