I. ˈkü-(ˌ)kü, ˈku̇- noun
( plural cuckoos )
Etymology: Middle English cuccu, of imitative origin
Date: 13th century
1. : a largely grayish-brown European bird ( Cuculus canorus ) that is a parasite given to laying its eggs in the nests of other birds which hatch them and rear the offspring ; broadly : any of a large family (Cuculidae of the order Cuculiformes) to which this bird belongs
2. : the call of the cuckoo
3. : a silly or slightly crackbrained person
[
cuckoo 1
]
II. transitive verb
Date: 1648
: to repeat monotonously as a cuckoo does its call
III. adjective
Date: 1627
1. : of, relating to, or resembling the cuckoo
2. : deficient in sense or intelligence : silly