morinel

\\ˈmȯrəˌnel, ˈmär-\ noun (-s)

Etymology: New Latin morinellus, partly from Latin Morini, people inhabiting the part of Gaul nearest to Britain, partly from Greek mōros stupid; from its commonness in northern France and from its stupidity — more at moron

: dotterel

* * *

morinel ? Obs.

(ˈmɒrɪnɛl)

[ad. mod.L. morinellus. Cf. F. morinelle (Littré).

The mod.L. word is due to Caius De rar. Anim. (1570) 21. He says that he gave this name to the bird for two reasons: because it is common in north-eastern France (apud Morinos), and on account of its stupidity (Gr. µωρότης folly).]

A name for the dotterel.

1828–32 in Webster; and in later Dicts.