peacock's tail

British  

noun

1. a handsome brown seaweed, Padina pavonia (though coloured yellow-olive, red, and green) whose fan-shaped fronds have concentric bands of iridescent hairs

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Example Sentences

In 1860 Charles Darwin wrote, “The sight of a feather in a peacock’s tail, whenever I gaze at it, makes me sick!”

From National Geographic • Oct. 10, 2023

The peacock’s tail is an example of the handicap principle.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

"It's the reproductive version of peacock's tail - it's so extreme," said Prof Siva-Jothy.

From BBC • May 16, 2019

It could easily be mistaken for a peacock’s tail — but this colourful image is actually a close-up of citric acid crystals.

From Nature • Nov. 1, 2018

A domed ceiling held the rich blue color of a peacock's tail trimmed with gold.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton