ˈtēl, esp before pause or consonant -ēəl noun
( plural teal or teals )
Etymology: Middle English tele; akin to Middle Dutch teling, teelingh teal
1.
a. : any of several small short-necked river ducks of Europe and America belonging to the genus Anas or especially formerly placed in Nettion and Querquedula and including the garganey and related birds and the blue-winged and cinnamon teals which both have a light blue area on the forepart of the wing — compare greenwing
b. : any of several other small wild ducks (as Aythya novae-seelandiae and Stictonetta naevosa ) of New Zealand and Australia
2. : a variable color averaging a dark greenish blue that is greener, lighter, and stronger than teal duck or teal blue and greener and less strong than drake
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