Gosling: meaning, definitions and examples

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gosling

 

[ ˈɡɒslɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

young bird

A gosling is a young goose that is typically less than a year old. Goslings are known for their soft downy feathers and are often seen accompanying their parents in natural habitats, such as ponds and lakes. They are social animals and exhibit strong familial bonds.

Synonyms

baby goose, young goose

Examples of usage

  • The mother goose led her goslings to the water.
  • We watched the goslings waddle behind their mother.
  • Goslings often graze on grass and other vegetation.
  • The park was filled with adorable goslings in the spring.

Word origin

The term 'gosling' comes from the Old English word 'gōsling', which is derived from 'gōs' meaning 'goose'. The word has Germanic origins, connecting to the cognate in Old High German 'gansling' and Dutch 'gansje', which also refer to a young goose. The usage of 'gosling' has been around since at least the 15th century, and it initially referred generically to a young goose before becoming the specific term it is today. The evolution of the word reflects the importance of geese in various cultures, particularly in agrarian societies where domesticated geese were raised for their meat and feathers.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,429, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.