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Glite Dictionary
gallinacean

gallinacean

9.9
A large heavy bird like a chicken or turkey that feeds on the ground
  • noun
  • /ˌɡælɪˈneɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : gallináceo
  • Chickens and turkeys are both considered gallinaceans by ornithologists.

Examples

  • The farmer kept a variety of gallinaceans for eggs and meat.

  • Many gallinacean species prefer to forage for seeds on the forest floor.

  • The gallinacean family includes chickens and turkeys.

  • Many farmers raise gallinaceans for their eggs.

  • Chickens and turkeys are both considered gallinaceans by ornithologists.

  • The farmer kept a variety of gallinaceans for eggs and meat.

  • Many gallinacean species prefer to forage for seeds on the forest floor.

Synonyms

game bird
vsgallinacean
1 3.2

A bird like a pheasant that people hunt for food or sport

is broader and also covers domesticated birds raised for food
gallinaceous bird
vsgallinacean
  • Specialized
8.6

A heavy ground bird like a chicken kept for meat or sport

is the scientific classifying term for that group of birds

Surface Forms

gallinacean singular
gallinaceans plural

Morphology

gallinacean = gallin + acean

The word is derived from Latin 'gallina' (hen) and '-acean' (related to), but this is not transparent to English learners without specialized knowledge.

Etymology

Gallinacean starts with gallin-, from a Latin word meaning 'hen' (like the Spanish word 'gallina'), and ends with -acean, meaning 'related to'. So, gallinacean means 'related to hens', which is why it names chickens, turkeys and other heavy, ground-feeding birds.