dabbling duck

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Explanation of "Dabbling Duck"

Definition:
A "dabbling duck" is a type of duck that typically feeds in shallow water. Instead of diving deep, these ducks often tip their bodies forward (upend) to reach food just below the water's surface. They are commonly found in ponds, lakes, and marshes.

Usage Instructions:

• Part of Speech: Noun
• Plural Form: Dabbling ducks (when talking about more than one)
• Context: You would use this term when discussing types of ducks, especially in relation to their feeding habits.

Example Sentence:

• "The pond was full of dabbling ducks, splashing around as they searched for food in the water."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, you might discuss the ecological role of dabbling ducks in their habitats, such as how they help maintain the health of wetland ecosystems by foraging for plants and insects.

Word Variants:

• Dabbling (verb): The act of feeding in this manner.
• Dabbler (noun): A person or animal that engages in a casual or superficial activity. (e.g., "She is a dabbler in painting.")

Different Meanings:

• The word "dabble" can also mean to take part in an activity in a casual or superficial way, such as "to dabble in art" or "to dabble in music," which means to try it out without serious commitment.

Synonyms:

• Surface-feeding duck: Another term that can describe dabbling ducks as they feed on the surface.
• Shallow-water duck: This can also refer to ducks that prefer shallow areas.

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Dabble in": This idiom means to try something in a casual way without serious commitment.
  • Example: "He likes to dabble in photography on the weekends."

Summary:

A "dabbling duck" refers to a group of ducks that feed by tipping forward in shallow water, making them different from diving ducks that go deeper to find food.

Academic

Noun

1. any of numerous shallow-water ducks that feed by upending and dabbling

Synonyms

• dabbler