Definition: eider

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

eider
     n : duck of the northern hemisphere much valued for the fine
         soft down of the females [syn: eider duck]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Eider \Ei"der\, n. [Of Scand. origin, cf. Icel [ae]?r; akin to
   Sw. eider, Dan. ederfugl.] (Zo["o]l.)
   Any species of sea duck of the genus Somateria, esp.
   Somateria mollissima, which breeds in the northern parts of
   Europe and America, and lines its nest with fine down (taken
   from its own body) which is an article of commerce; -- called
   also eider duck. The American eider (S. Dresseri), the
   king eider (S. spectabilis), and the spectacled eider
   (Arctonetta Fischeri) are related species.

   Eider down. [Cf. Icel. [ae][eth]ard[=u]n, Sw. eiderd[=u]n,
      Dan. ederduun.] Down of the eider duck, much sought after
      as an article of luxury.