A wading bird with lobate toes, of the genus Fulica. The common European or bald coot is Fulica atra (see under bald); the American is Fulica AmericanaHalliwell. [1913 Webster]
A stupid fellow; a simpleton; as, a silly coot. [1913 Webster]
, n.
1 any black aquatic bird of the genus Fulica, esp. F. atra with the upper mandible extended backwards to form a white plate on the forehead.
2 colloq. a stupid person.