gull

¹gull

noun \ˈgəl\

Definition of GULL

: any of numerous long-winged web-footed aquatic birds (subfamily Larinae of the family Laridae); especially : a usually gray and white bird (especially of the genus Larus) differing from a tern in usually larger size, stouter build, thicker somewhat hooked bill, less pointed wings, and short unforked tail

Origin of GULL

Middle English, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh gwylan gull

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl

Rhymes with GULL

cull, dull, hull, lull, mull, null, scull, skull, trull

²gull

transitive verb

Definition of GULL

: to take advantage of (one who is foolish or unwary) : deceive

Examples of GULL

1. <we were gulled into believing that if we answered the e-mail, we'd somehow become millionaires, but instead we just got put on a list for junk mail>

Origin of GULL

obsolete gull gullet, from Middle English golle, from Anglo-French gule, gole

First Known Use: circa 1550

Related to GULL

Synonyms

bamboozle, beguile, bluff, buffalo, burn, catch, con, cozen, delude, dupe, fake out, fool, gaff, gammon, deceive, have, have on [chiefly British], hoax, hoodwink, hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, misinform, mislead, snooker, snow, spoof, string along, sucker, suck in, take in, trick

Antonyms

undeceive

Related Words

kid, put on, tease; bleed, cheat, chisel, defraud, diddle, euchre, flam, fleece, gyp, hustle, mulct, rook, shortchange, skin, squeeze, stick, sting, swindle

Near Antonyms

debunk, expose, reveal, show up, uncloak, uncover, unmask; disclose, divulge, tell, unveil; disabuse, disenchant, disillusion

³gull

noun

Definition of GULL

: a person who is easily deceived or cheated : dupe

First Known Use of GULL

1594

gull

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus).—John Markham

Any of more than 40 species of heavily built, web-footed seabirds (family Laridae) that are most abundant as breeders in temperate to arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Adults are mainly gray or white, with variable head markings. The bill is strong and slightly hooked, sometimes displaying a spot of colour. Species differ in bill and leg colours and in wing patterns. Wingspans range from 24 to 63 in. (0.6 to 1.6 m). Gulls feed on insects, mollusks, and crustaceans on beaches; worms and grubs in plowed fields; and fish and garbage from ships and along shores. Some large gulls prey on the eggs and young of other birds, including their own kind. See also herring gull; kittiwake.