Also (metri gratiâ) baldicoot. Popular name for the Coot (Fulica atra), from its pure white wide frontal plate, destitute of feathers. Used fig. and contemptuously as = BALD-HEAD.
a. 1300. W. de Biblesw., in Wright’s Voc., 165. Une blarye (glossed) a balled cote.
1616. Beaum. & Fl., Knt. Malta, I. i. Unfledge them of their … perriwigs, And they appear like bald-cootes, in the nest.
1802. in G. Montagu, Ornith. Dict.
1823. Byron, Juan, XIV. lxxxiii. The bald-coot bully, Alexander.
1848. Kingsley, Saint’s Trag., III. iv. 176. Your princesses, that … demean themselves to hob and nob with these black baldicoots [i.e., monks with shaven crowns]!
