Cuculus

/ˈkjuːkjuːləs/ noun

Definition

The cuckoo, a bird known for laying its eggs in other birds' nests; also the genus name for the common cuckoo.

Etymology

From Latin cuculus, ultimately from imitative Indo-European roots referring to the bird's distinctive two-note call 'cuc-ulus.' The name spread across European languages.

Kelly Says

The cuckoo's name literally comes from the sound it makes—one of humanity's oldest examples of onomatopoeia, used by ancient Romans who heard the same call we hear today.

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