jaçana

[ zhah-suh-nah, jah- ]

noun

1. any of several tropical, ploverlike, aquatic birds of the family Jacanidae, most of them having extremely long toes and claws for walking on floating water plants.

jaçana

/ ˌʒɑːsəˈnɑː; ˌdʒæ- /

noun

1. any bird of the family Jacanidae , of tropical and subtropical marshy regions, having long legs and very long toes that enable walking on floating plants: order Charadriiformes Also calledlily-trotter

Word History and Origins

Origin of jaçana¹

1640–50; < Portuguese jaçanã < Tupi jasaná

Word History and Origins

Origin of jaçana¹

C18: from Portuguese jaçanã, from Tupi-Guarani jasaná

Example Sentences

The Jacana belongs to a small family of birds with representatives throughout the tropics.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the “faithful jacana” or “chuza,” as it is called in some places.

From Project Gutenberg

The Common Jacana is black, with neck and shoulders of a reddish brown, and green wing-feathers.

From Project Gutenberg

There are several species of “jacana” in South America, and also some species in the tropical countries of the East.

From Project Gutenberg

Going back to my chair, I found that neither jacana, nor gallinules, nor herons had been disturbed by my shot.

From Project Gutenberg