Defn: A bird belonging to Cuculus, Coccyzus, and several allied genera, of many species.
Note: The European cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) builds no nest of its own, but lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, to be hatched by them. The American yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus Americanus) and the black-billed cuckoo (C. erythrophthalmus) build their own nests. Cuckoo bee (Zool.), a bee, parasitic in the larval stage in the nests of other bees, feeding either upon their food or larvae. They belong to the genera Nomada, Melecta, Epeolus, and others. — Cuckoo clock, a clock so constructed that at the time for striking it gives forth sounds resembling the cry of the cuckoo. — Cuckoo dove (Zoöl.), a long-tailed pigeon of the genus Macropygia. Many species inhabit the East Indies. — Cuckoo fish (Zoöl.), the European red gurnard (Trigla cuculus). The name probably alludes to the sound that it utters. — Cuckoo falcon (Zoöl.), any falcon of the genus Baza. The genus inhabits Africa and the East Indies. — Cuckoo maid (Zoöl.), the wryneck; — called also cuckoo mate. — Cuckoo ray (Zoöl.), a British ray (Raia miraletus). — Cuckoo spit, or Cuckoo spittle. (a) A frothy secretion found upon plants, exuded by the larvae of certain insects, for concealment; — called also toad spittle and frog spit. (b) (Zoöl.) A small hemipterous insect, the larva of which, living on grass and the leaves of plants, exudes this secretion. The insects belong to Aphrophora, Helochara, and allied genera. — Ground cuckoo, the chaparral cock.
CUCKOOBUD
Cuck"oo*bud" (kk"-bd`), n. (Bot.)
Defn: A species of Ranunculus (R. bulbosus); — called also butterflower, buttercup, kingcup, goldcup. Shak.
CUCKOOFLOWER
Cuck"oo*flow`er (-flou`r), n. (Bot.)
Defn: A species of Cardamine (C. pratensis), or lady's smock. Its leaves are used in salads. Also, the ragged robin (Lychnis Flos- cuculi).
CUCKOOPINT
Cuck"oo*pint` (-pnt`), n. (Bot.)
Defn: A plant of the genus Arum (A. maculatum); the European wake- robin.
CUCQUEAN
Cuc"quean` (kk"kwn`), n. Etym: [Cuckold + quean.]
Defn: A woman whose husband is unfaithful to her. [Obs.]