puffin

[ puhf-in ]

noun

1. any of several alcidine sea birds of the genera Fratercula and Lunda, having a short neck and a large, compressed, grooved bill, as F. arctica Atlantic puffin, of the North Atlantic.

puffin

/ ˈpʌfɪn /

noun

1. any of various northern diving birds of the family Alcidae (auks, etc), esp Fratercula arctica ( common or Atlantic puffin ), having a black-and-white plumage and a brightly coloured vertically flattened bill: order Charadriiformes

Word History and Origins

Origin of puffin¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English poffoun, poffin, puffon (compare Anglo-Latin poffo, puffo ); origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of puffin¹

C14: perhaps of Cornish origin

Example Sentences

Bird flu has even become a conservation problem, as the new strain is infecting twice as many species as during the 2015 outbreak, including vulnerable species like puffins and the endangered bald eagle, along with more mammals than usual.

From Vox

Unfortunately, declines in puffin numbers due to climate change and other human activity have led to season cutbacks in recent years.

From Popular-Science

For the adventurous, try the reindeer or puffin; for those feeling fishy, go for arctic char or the array of sushi.

From The Daily Beast

You won't keep him long, you know, for Puffin's a man certain of good preferment.

From Project Gutenberg

Puffin wore his hair very long indeed, while the whole of his face was clean shaven.

From Project Gutenberg

Puffin would write all the letters; and as for the lawsuits, you would win them, and the costs would not come out of your pocket.

From Project Gutenberg

The vicar and his wife looked at one another; but they respected Mr. Puffin's prejudices, and ceased to press him.

From Project Gutenberg

He had even told Miss Grains that he looked upon Mr. Puffin as a "philanderer," and that "he didn't hold with philanderers."

From Project Gutenberg