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Glite Dictionary
🐧 A sea bird 🪶 About sea birds
alcid

alcid

9.9
Relating to birds like puffins that live in cold northern oceans
  • adjective
  • /ˈæl.sɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : alcido
  • Puffins are an example of the alcid family, thriving in cold coastal environments.

Examples

  • Distinctive black and white plumage is a common trait among alcid birds.

  • Researchers observed alcid behavior during the birds' nesting period on the rocky cliffs.

  • The alcid species are well adapted to cold northern oceans.

  • The alcid species are known for their excellent swimming abilities.

  • Many alcid birds can be found along the northern coasts.

  • The alcid birds are recognized for their distinctive plumage and swimming skills.

  • Many scientists study the nesting habits of alcid species in their natural habitats.

Synonyms

avian
vsalcid
16 6.0

Relating to birds

is narrower, applying only to members of a single family like puffins and auks

Surface Forms

alcid positive

Morphology

alcid = Alcidae (opaque) = alc + id

Adjectival use derived from the scientific family name is specialized and unlikely to be transparently analyzable by non‑specialist learners.

Etymology

The word alcid comes from the old name Alca, from a northern word alka meaning 'sea bird' like an auk or puffin. So alcid used as an adjective means 'relating to' those sea birds—things that are typical of auks, puffins, or murres.