didapper

English

noun
Definitions
  • A small diving water bird frequenting rivers and fresh waters, specifically a little grebe or dabchick.
  • (obsolete) A scoundrel, a worthless person.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English dydoppar derived from Old English dūfedoppa (pelican, diving bird) compound from English dive + English dop (a cup in which a diamond is cut, diving bird)+ English -er (agent suffix, agent noun, one who uses acquires, Variety, forming agent nouns, inhabitant of, person thing that does the action, agent, resident of, comparative).

Origin

English

-er

Gloss

agent suffix, agent noun, one who uses acquires, Variety, forming agent nouns, inhabitant of, person thing that does the action, agent, resident of, comparative

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms