peafowl

American  

[pee-foul] / ˈpiˌfaʊl /

noun

plural

peafowls,

plural

peafowl

1. any of several gallinaceous birds of the genera Pavo, of India, Sri Lanka, southeastern Asia, and the East Indies, and Afropavo, of Africa.

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peafowl British  

/ ˈpiːˌfaʊl /

noun

1. either of two large pheasants, Pavo cristatus ( blue peafowl ) of India and Ceylon and P. muticus ( green peafowl ) of SE Asia. The males (peacocks) have a characteristic bright plumage See peacock

2. a rare closely related African species, Afropavo congensis ( Congo peafowl ), both sexes of which are brightly coloured

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Etymology

Origin of peafowl

First recorded in 1795–1805; pea ( see peacock) + fowl

Example Sentences

Peafowl are resourceful, “kind of like the raccoons of the bird world,” eating practically anything and everything, Maxcy said.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 1, 2021

So he went to Bro'er Peafowl an' ask him:—"What you will say if me carry you fe Dummy?"

From Jamaican Song and Story Annancy stories, digging sings, ring tunes, and dancing tunes by Jekyll, Walter

An' him wheel Peafowl an' dash him on the iron peg, an' Mr. Annancy went an' pick him up an' put him in his bag.

From Jamaican Song and Story Annancy stories, digging sings, ring tunes, and dancing tunes by Jekyll, Walter

In "Dummy," Annancy wins a bet and the hand of the King's daughter by inducing "Peafowl" to make the dumb man talk.

From Jamaican Song and Story Annancy stories, digging sings, ring tunes, and dancing tunes by Jekyll, Walter

Peafowl are said to be rather disagreeable pets because they often attack infirm persons and children and kill young poultry.

From Camps and Trails in China A Narrative of Exploration, Adventure, and Sport in Little-Known China by Andrews, Roy Chapman