Cormorant \Cor"mo*rant\ (k[^o]r"m[-o]*rant), n. [F. cormoran,
fr. Armor. m[=o]r-vran a sea raven; m[=o]r sea + bran raven,
with cor, equiv. to L. corvus raven, pleonastically prefixed;
or perh. fr. L. corvus marinus sea raven.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of Phalacrocorax, a genus of sea
birds having a sac under the beak; the shag. Cormorants
devour fish voraciously, and have become the emblem of
gluttony. They are generally black, and hence are called
sea ravens, and coalgeese. [Written also corvorant.]
2. A voracious eater; a glutton, or gluttonous servant. --B.
Jonson.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |