penguin

[ peng-gwin, pen- ]

nounOrnithology.
  1. any of several flightless, aquatic birds of the family Spheniscidae, of the Southern Hemisphere, having webbed feet and wings reduced to flippers.

  2. Obsolete. great auk.

Origin of penguin

1
1570–80; origin uncertain; perhaps <Welsh pen gwyn literally, white head (referring to the great auk in its winter plumage); later misapplied to the Spheniscidae

Words Nearby penguin

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British Dictionary definitions for penguin

penguin

/ (ˈpɛŋɡwɪn) /


noun
  1. any flightless marine bird, such as Aptenodytes patagonica (king penguin) and Pygoscelis adeliae (Adélie penguin), of the order Sphenisciformes of cool southern, esp Antarctic, regions: they have wings modified as flippers, webbed feet, and feathers lacking barbs: See also emperor penguin, king penguin

  2. an obsolete name for great auk

Origin of penguin

1
C16: perhaps from Welsh pen gwyn, from pen head + gwyn white

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