ptarmigan
Americannoun
noun
-
any of several arctic and subarctic grouse of the genus Lagopus, esp L. mutus, which has a white winter plumage
-
(sometimes capital) a created domestic fancy pigeon with ruffled or curled feathers on the wings and back
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ptarmigan
1590–1600; pseudo-Greek spelling of Scots Gaelic tarmarchan, akin to Irish tarmanach
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To the four: "Lovely to see this group of Ptarmigan in full winter plumage in Glenshee," says Jeremy Morris.
From BBC • Feb. 4, 2024
Ptarmigan is an arctic grouse that has this feeding bag in its throat.
From Salon • Apr. 7, 2023
Gerbin envisioned linking up the previously established North Cascade high routes — the Redoubt-Whatcom High Route, North and South Pickets, Isolation Traverse, and Ptarmigan Traverse — to create a unique traverse of the North Cascades.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 1, 2022
Alert Ptarmigan crews turned up two more islands, named them T-2 and T3.
From Time Magazine Archive
The marshal sent us on a new trail that led through Ptarmigan Pass.
From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
