guillemot

American  

[gil-uh-mot] / ˈgɪl əˌmɒt /

noun

1. a black or brown-speckled seabird of the genus Cepphus, of northern seas, having a sharply pointed black bill, red legs, and white wing patches, as C. grylle black guillemot, of the North Atlantic Ocean and the similar C. columba pigeon guillemot of the North Pacific Ocean.

2. British.  a murre of the genus Uria.

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guillemot British  

/ ˈɡɪlɪˌmɒt /

noun

1. any northern oceanic diving bird of the genera Uria and Cepphus, having a black-and-white plumage and long narrow bill: family Alcidae (auks, etc), order Charadriiformes

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Etymology

Origin of guillemot

First recorded in 1670–80; from French, apparently diminutive of Guillaume “William”

Example Sentences

Annual surveys have begun to record steady increases in eider ducks, guillemots, herring gulls and lesser-backed gulls on and around the island, year on year.

From BBC

Its "seabird cities" are home to guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills.

From BBC

"Look out for our distinctive green and purple Hope Haven birds, based on the wonderful guillemots at St Bees Head."

From BBC

The bay is also home to harbour porpoise, Atlantic grey seals and a variety of bird life including razorbills and guillemots.

From BBC

There is good news for some of the seabirds that breed in the UK, with the shag moving from the red list to the amber and the black guillemot from the amber to the green.

From BBC