Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
family Alcidae

family Alcidae

9.9
Group of sea birds with webbed feet that dive in cold northern oceans, like puffins and guillemots
  • noun
  • /ˈfæmɪli ˈælsaɪdi/
  • Specialized
: familia Alcidae
  • The family Alcidae includes well-known seabirds such as puffins and guillemots.

Examples

  • Researchers observed several species from the family Alcidae nesting on rocky cliffs.

  • Members of the family Alcidae are excellent divers, adapted to cold, northern oceans.

  • The family Alcidae includes various species of seabirds.

  • Many members of the family Alcidae are excellent divers.

  • The family Alcidae consists of birds like puffins and murres that thrive in cold ocean waters.

  • Scientists study the family Alcidae for insights into seabird adaptation in harsh environments.

  • In the family Alcidae, auks and guillemots are known for their remarkable diving skills.

Synonyms

Alcidae
vsfamily Alcidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of sea birds with webbed feet that dive, like puffins and guillemots

is the same meaning but presented in a longer, descriptive form

Surface Forms

family Alcidae singular
families Alcidae plural

Morphology

family + Alcidae

This is a straightforward taxonomic label: 'family' (a scientific grouping) combined with the taxon name 'Alcidae' (web-footed diving seabirds). The meaning is directly compositional and follows standard biological naming conventions, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can understand it.

Etymology

The name family Alcidae comes from an old word for the auk, 'alka', and the ending '-idae' is used to name animal families. So it literally means 'the auk family' and is used for the group of web-footed diving seabirds like puffins and guillemots.