WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Mer*gan"ser
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [Sp. merg?nsar, fr. mergo a diver (L. mergus, fr. mergere to dip, dive) + ?nsar goose, L. anser.] (Zo?l.)
Definition : Defn: Any bird of the genus Merganser, and allied genera. They are allied to the ducks, but have a sharply serrated bill.

Note: The red-breasted merganser (Merganser serrator) inhabits both hemispheres. It is called also sawbill, harle, and sheldrake. The American merganser (M. Americanus.) and the hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) are well-known species. -- White merganser, the smew or white nun.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913