Charadrius morinellus n 1: rare plover of upland areas of Eurasia [syn: {dotterel}, {dotrel}, {Charadrius morinellus}, {Eudromias morinellus}]
Dotterel \Dot"ter*el\, n. [From {Dote}, v. i.] 1. (Zool.) A European bird of the Plover family ({Eudromias morinellus}, syn. {Charadrius morinellus}). It is tame and easily taken, and is popularly believed to imitate the movements of the fowler. [1913 Webster] In catching of dotterels we see how the foolish bird playeth the ape in gestures. --Bacon. [1913 Webster] Note: The ringed dotterel (or ring plover) is {Charadrius hiaticula}. [1913 Webster] 2. A silly fellow; a dupe; a gull. --Barrow. [1913 Webster]