from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Turkey \Tur"key\ (t[^u]r"k[=e]), n.; pl. {Turkeys}. [So called
because it was formerly erroneously believed that it came
originally from Turkey: cf. F. Turquie Turkey. See {Turk}.]
(Zool.)
Any large American gallinaceous bird belonging to the genus
{Meleagris}, especially the North American wild turkey
({Meleagris gallopavo}), and the domestic turkey, which was
probably derived from the Mexican wild turkey, but had been
domesticated by the Indians long before the discovery of
America.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The Mexican wild turkey is now considered a variety of
the northern species (var. Mexicana). Its tail feathers
and coverts are tipped with white instead of brownish
chestnut, and its flesh is white. The Central American,
or ocellated, turkey ({Meleagris ocellata}) is more
elegantly colored than the common species. See under
{Ocellated}. The Australian, or native, turkey is a
bustard ({Choriotis australis}). See under {Native}.
[1913 Webster]
{Turkey beard} (Bot.), a name of certain American perennial
liliaceous herbs of the genus {Xerophyllum}. They have a
dense tuft of hard, narrowly linear radical leaves, and a
long raceme of small whitish flowers. Also called
{turkey's beard}.
{Turkey berry} (Bot.), a West Indian name for the fruit of
certain kinds of nightshade ({Solanum mammosum}, and
{Solanum torvum}).
{Turkey bird} (Zool.), the wryneck. So called because it
erects and ruffles the feathers of its neck when
disturbed. [Prov. Eng.]
{Turkey buzzard} (Zool.), a black or nearly black buzzard
({Cathartes aura}), abundant in the Southern United
States. It is so called because its naked and warty head
and neck resemble those of a turkey. It is noted for its
high and graceful flight. Called also {turkey vulture}.
{Turkey cock} (Zool.), a male turkey.
{Turkey hen} (Zool.), a female turkey.
{Turkey pout} (Zool.), a young turkey. [R.]
{Turkey vulture} (Zool.), the turkey buzzard.
[1913 Webster]