PTARMIGAN

ptarmigan

(noun) large Arctic and subarctic grouse with feathered feet and usually white winter plumage

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

ptarmigan (plural ptarmigan or ptarmigans)

Any of three species of small grouse in the genus Lagopus found in subarctic tundra areas of North America and Eurasia.

Synonyms

• (species of small grouse): lagopus (obsolete)

Source: Wiktionary


Ptar"mi*gan, n. Etym: [Gael. tarmachan; cf. Ir. tarmochan, tarmonach.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: Any grouse of the genus Lagopus, of which numerous species are known. The feet are completely feathered. Most of the species are brown in summer, but turn white, or nearly white, in winter.

Note: They chiefly inhabit the northern countries and high mountains of Europe, Asia, and America. The common European species is Lagopus mutus. The Scotch grouse, red grouse, or moor fowl (L. Scoticus), is reddish brown, and does not turn white in winter. The white, or willow, ptarmigan (L. albus) is found in both Europe and America.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

9 May 2025

RIGHT

(noun) anything in accord with principles of justice; “he feels he is in the right”; “the rightfulness of his claim”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Contrary to popular belief, coffee beans are not technically beans. They are referred to as such because of their resemblance to legumes. A coffee bean is a seed of the Coffea plant and the source for coffee. It is the pit inside the red or purple fruit, often referred to as a cherry. Just like ordinary cherries, the coffee fruit is also a so-called stone fruit.

coffee icon