Word Study
bustard
CIDE DICTIONARY
bustard, n. [OF. & Prov. F. bistarde, F. outarde, from L. avis tarda, lit., slow bird. Plin. 10, 22 ; “proximæ iis sunt, quas Hispania aves tardas appellat, Græcia 'wti`das.”].
A bird of the genus Otis . [1913 Webster]
" The great or bearded bustard (Otis tarda ) is the largest game bird in Europe. It inhabits the temperate regions of Europe and Asia, and was formerly common in Great Britain. The little bustard (Otis tetrax ) inhabits eastern Europe and Morocco. Many other species are known in Asia and Africa." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
bustard, n. any large terrestrial bird of the family Otididae, with long neck, long legs, and stout tapering body.
Etymology
ME f. OF bistarde f. L avis tarda slow bird (? = slow on the ground; but possibly a perversion of a foreign word)
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