barnacle goose

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noun

a wild goose, Branta leucopsis, of northern Europe and Greenland.

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Origin of barnacle goose

1760–70; earlier barnacle,Middle English bernacle; compare Middle French bernacle,New Latin bernacula, all derivative of earlier Middle English bernak, bernekke,Anglo-Latin bernaca,Old French bernaque, of uncertain origin

Words nearby barnacle goose

barmy, barn, Barnabas, Barnaby, barnacle, barnacle goose, Barnard, Barnardo, Barnard's star, Barnaul, Barnave

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use barnacle goose in a sentence

We had a little goose that was laying golden eggs, and they told us to snip its head off.
David Lynch on Transcendental Meditation, ‘Twin Peaks,’ and Collaborating With Kanye West|Marlow Stern|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I wandered around aimlessly for a while, then gave the goose to an acquiescent hippy on a barge.
The Life and Art of Radical Provocateur—and Commune Leader—Otto Muehl|Anthony Haden-Guest|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One of the men was carrying a carving knife and a live goose.
The Life and Art of Radical Provocateur—and Commune Leader—Otto Muehl|Anthony Haden-Guest|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Finally, Cleese goose-steps out of the dining room as the hapless Germans cringe and sob.
Life Under Air Strikes: Children Under Fire Will Never Forget — or Forgive|Clive Irving|August 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Then, the big goose egg that the administration is going to get from Iran will more obviously be a zip.
Putin Poised to Retaliate Against Obama by Trashing Iran Deal|Josh Rogin|July 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To hear the creature talk about it makes my mouth as a brick kiln and my flesh as that of a goose.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
The Kutchin make pretty pipe-stems out of goose-quills wound about with porcupine-quills.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
The universal desire was for mamma to see him, and when the time came, she owned that papa's swan had not turned out a goose.
The Daisy Chain|Charlotte Yonge
The declination axis is short, and is supported by a massive goose-neck bolted to the upper end of the polar axis.
Photographs of Nebul and Clusters|James Edward Keeler
Of waking dog, nor gaggling goose more waker then the hound.'
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer

British Dictionary definitions for barnacle goose

barnacle goose

noun

a N European goose, Branta leucopsis, that has a black-and-white head and body and grey wings

a former name for brent goose

Word Origin for barnacle goose

C13 bernekke, related to Late Latin bernaca, from the belief that the goose developed from a shellfish; ultimate origin obscure

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012