auk

[ awk ]

noun

1. any of several usually black-and-white diving birds of the family Alcidae, of northern seas, having webbed feet and small wings.

auk

/ ɔːk /

noun

1. any of various diving birds of the family Alcidae of northern oceans having a heavy body, short tail, narrow wings, and a black-and-white plumage: order Charadriiformes See also great auk razorbill auk
2. little auk or dovekie
   a small short-billed auk, Plautus alle, abundant in Arctic regions

Word History and Origins

Origin of auk¹

1665–75; < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse alka

Word History and Origins

Origin of auk¹

C17: from Old Norse ālka; related to Swedish alka, Danish alke

Example Sentences

"The little auk, also known as the dovekie, emerges as a sentinel species in monitoring Arctic environmental shifts," says Dr. Anders Mosbech, co-author from Aarhus University.

From Science Daily

In the remote wilderness of Northwest Greenland, the research team employed passive acoustic and imaging technologies to uncover the hidden rhythms of little auk colonies.

From Science Daily

The company admitted offences at the Auk North, Halley and Fulmar fields last year.

From BBC

Production at Auk is due to end when the field reaches its limit in 2033.

From BBC

"In the small intestine/of the little auk/we found Mexico City, Manila, Shanghai, New York."

From BBC