Definition of COOT

coot

Plural: coots

Noun

  • A large, dark, aquatic bird with a distinctive white bill.
  • slate-black slow-flying birds somewhat resembling ducks
  • Any of various aquatic birds of the genus Fulica that are mainly black with a prominent frontal shield on the forehead.
  • A foolish or eccentric fellow
  • Body louse (Pediculus humanus).

Examples

  • A rich coot
  • A silly coot
  • An old coot
  • Playing ’COOT’ horizontally opened up a triple word score for my next turn.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English cote, coote, cute, cuytt (“coot”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from an unrecorded Old English word, or borrowed from Middle Dutch coet, cuut, kuut (“coot”) (whence modern Dutch koet and meerkoet (“coot”)). Possibly related to Middle High German kūz, kūze (modern German Kauz (“owl”)), Old English cȳta (“kite, bittern”) (whence English kite), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *kūts (“bird of prey”). See kite.

Scrabble Score: 6

coot: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
coot: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
coot: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 7

coot: valid Words With Friends Word