peafowl

American  

[pee-foul] / ˈpiˌfaʊl /

noun

peafowls, plural peafowl plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• peafowl
  plural
• peafowls
  plural

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

Peafowl are to be seen in certain tracts, especially in the eastern Panjáb.

From The Panjab, North-West Frontier Province, and Kashmir by Douie, James McCrone, Sir

An' Annancy call upon him say:—"Bro'er Peafowl, a living is here for me an' you."

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

An' when him done laugh him tell Peafowl to say:—"Who hold me here?"

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

Annancy leave, an' come where Wheeler is, an' keep himself very quiet, an' presently Peafowl was passing.

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