Ptarmigan Definition

tärmĭ-gən
ptarmigans
noun
Any of a genus (Lagopus) of brownish arctic, subarctic, or alpine grouse with feathered legs and feet, usually having white plumage in the winter.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Ptarmigan

Noun

Singular:
ptarmigan
Plural:
ptarmigans

Origin of Ptarmigan

  • Alteration (influenced by the spelling pt in Greek words like pteron wing) of Scottish Gaelic tarmachan

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Scottish Gaelic tàrmachan. The pt- comes from a mistaken Greek construction.

    From Wiktionary

Ptarmigan Sentence Examples

  • In the case of the ptarmigan the evidence is clear that the existing autumnal feathers do change, more or less completely, to white.

  • In the northern mountains the ptarmigan is common, and like other creatures assumes a white winter dress; ducks and other water-fowl frequent the lakes; the golden eagle, certain buzzards and owls are found, and among smaller birds the Lappland bunting (Plectrophanes laponicus) may be mentioned.

  • The statement that it may be possible to hear ptarmigan is ironic.

  • At high altitudes the mountain plover is found; the dusky grouse haunts the forests above 8000 ft.; the white-tailed ptarmigan is resident in the alpine regions; and on the plains are found the prairie sharp-tailed grouse and the sage-hen.

  • A bird that is found on barren expanses of loose rocks at altitudes of up to 3,500 meters is the ptarmigan.

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Words Starting With

PPTPTA

Words Ending With

NANGAN

Unscrambles

ptarmigan

Words Starting With P and Ending With N

Starts With P & Ends With NStarts With PT & Ends With NStarts With P & Ends With AN

Word Length

9 Letter Words9 Letter Words Starting With P9 Letter Words Ending With N

Words Near Ptarmigan in the Dictionary