Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cuckoo \Cuck"oo\ (k??k"??), n. [OE. coccou, cukkow, F. coucou,
   prob. of imitative origin; cf. L. cuculus, Gr. ????, Skr.
   k?ki?a, G. kuckuk, D. koekoek.] (Zo["o]l.)
   A bird belonging to {Cuculus}, {Coccyzus}, and several allied
   genera, of many species.

   Note: The European cuckoo ({Cuculus canorus}) builds no nest
         of its own, but lays its eggs in the nests of other
         birds, to be hatched by them. The American
         yellow-billed cuckoo ({Coccyzus Americanus}) and the
         black-billed cuckoo ({C. erythrophthalmus}) build their
         own nests.

   {Cuckoo bee} (Zool.), a bee, parasitic in the larval stage in
      the nests of other bees, feeding either upon their food or
      larvae. They belong to the genera {Nomada}, {Melecta},
      {Epeolus}, and others.

   {Cuckoo clock}, a clock so constructed that at the time for
      striking it gives forth sounds resembling the cry of the
      cuckoo.

   {Cuckoo dove} (Zo["o]l.), a long-tailed pigeon of the genus
      {Macropygia}. Many species inhabit the East Indies.

   {Cuckoo fish} (Zo["o]l.), the European red gurnard ({Trigla
      cuculus}). The name probably alludes to the sound that it
      utters.

   {Cuckoo falcon} (Zo["o]l.), any falcon of the genus {Baza}.
      The genus inhabits Africa and the East Indies.

   {Cuckoo maid} (Zo["o]l.), the wryneck; -- called also {cuckoo
      mate}.

   {Cuckoo ray} (Zo["o]l.), a British ray ({Raia miraletus}).

   {Cuckoo spit}, or {Cuckoo spittle}.
   (a) A frothy secretion found upon plants, exuded by the
       larvae of certain insects, for concealment; -- called
       also {toad spittle} and {frog spit}.
   (b) (Zo["o]l.) A small hemipterous insect, the larva of
       which, living on grass and the leaves of plants, exudes
       this secretion. The insects belong to {Aphrophora},
       {Helochara}, and allied genera.

   {Ground cuckoo}, the chaparral cock.