solan

9.9

A large white sea bird called the northern gannet that lives by North Atlantic coasts

noun

: ganso solano

Fishermen sometimes call the northern gannet a solan or solan goose.

Examples

The solan soared gracefully above the crashing waves, searching for fish.
Look at that magnificent solan soaring above us!
Many solans nest on the rocky cliffs each spring.
The solan is known for its striking appearance.
Many solans nest on the rocky cliffs each spring.
The solan soared gracefully above the crashing waves, searching for fish.
Look at that magnificent solan soaring above us!

Synonyms

Sula bassana

vssolan

Archaic

9.9

A very large white seabird with black wing tips found in the North Atlantic

is the same description but uses a different name

solan goose

vssolan

9.3

A large white seabird with black-tipped wings that dives for fish

is described as very large rather than large

solant goose

vssolan

9.9

A large white sea bird with black wing tips that dives for fish

mentions the North Atlantic as the main location instead of omitting it

Compounds

solan goose

9.3

A large white seabird with black-tipped wings that dives for fish

Surface Forms

solan singular

solans plural

Etymology

Solan comes from an old Norse word sula, which was the name for the bird 'gannet' and is the same root as the bird's scientific name Sula. So a solan today is that very large white seabird often seen on rocky cliffs, also called a solan goose.