pavonine

[ pav-uh-nahyn, -nin ]

adjective

1. of or like a peacock.
2. resembling the feathers of a peacock, as in coloring.

pavonine

/ ˈpævəˌnaɪn /

adjective

1. of or resembling a peacock or the colours, design, or iridescence of a peacock's tail

Word History and Origins

Origin of pavonine¹

1650–60; < Latin pāvōnīnus, derivative of pāvō (stem pāvōn- ) peacock; -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pavonine¹

C17: from Latin pāvōnīnus, from pāvō peacock

Example Sentences

Scarce one of us domestic birds but imitates the lanky, pavonine strut, and shrill, genteel scream.

From Project Gutenberg