D defs.my
Entry 3 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Bittern

· Bit·tern · IPA /ˈbɪtəɹn/
01 n. A wading bird of the genus Botaurus, allied to the herons, of various species.
  1. 1.
    A wading bird of the genus Botaurus, allied to the herons, of various species.(Zool.)
02 n. The brine which remains in salt works after the salt is concreted, having a bitter taste from the chloride of magnesium which it contains.
  1. 1.
    The brine which remains in salt works after the salt is concreted, having a bitter taste from the chloride of magnesium which it contains.
  2. 2.
    A very bitter compound of quassia, cocculus Indicus, etc., used by fraudulent brewers in adulterating beer.