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penguin
[ peng-gwin, pen- ]
/ ËpÉĆ gwÉȘn, ËpÉn- /
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noun Ornithology.
any of several flightless, aquatic birds of the family Spheniscidae, of the Southern Hemisphere, having webbed feet and wings reduced to flippers.
Obsolete. great auk.
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Origin of penguin
1570â80; origin uncertain; perhaps <Welsh pen gwyn literally, white head (referring to the great auk in its winter plumage); later misapplied to the Spheniscidae
Words nearby penguin
pen friend, Peng Dehuai, Penghu, pengö, Pengpu, penguin, penholder, -penia, penicil, penicillamine, penicillate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use penguin in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for penguin
penguin
/ (ËpÉĆÉĄwÉȘn) /
noun
any flightless marine bird, such as Aptenodytes patagonica (king penguin) and Pygoscelis adeliae (Adélie penguin), of the order Sphenisciformes of cool southern, esp Antarctic, regions: they have wings modified as flippers, webbed feet, and feathers lacking barbsSee also emperor penguin, king penguin
an obsolete name for great auk
Word Origin for penguin
C16: perhaps from Welsh pen gwyn, from pen head + gwyn white
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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