capercaillie
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of capercaillie
1530–40; < Scots Gaelic capull coille (by dissimilation), literally, horse of the woods; for first element, compare Middle English capel horse, Old Norse kapall nag, from the same source (probably Celtic ) as Latin caballus horse; spelling lz is early typographical rendering of manuscript spelling l + yogh letter (representing palatal l ); compare parallel spelling of surnames Mackenzie, Menzies
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
However the BBC understands there are capercaillie - a large woodland grouse - around Ryvoan.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
They provide habitat for red squirrels and birds such as capercaillie, crested tits and crossbills.
From BBC ● Feb. 2, 2023
A few years from now, these stems will develop into a barrier against erosion, a carbon sink and a habitat for distinctive Highland birds such as the capercaillie and ptarmigan.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 25, 2020
Menazas has noticed that the valley’s climate is already warming, with less snow and bird species such as the capercaillie nesting higher up.
From Slate ● Dec. 5, 2018
Ralph had, indeed, many a time hunted rabbits, hares, mountain-cock, and capercaillie.
From Boyhood in Norway by Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
