Ptarmigan: meaning, definitions and examples

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ptarmigan

 

[ หˆtษ‘หrmษชษกษ™n ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

bird species

The ptarmigan is a medium-sized bird belonging to the grouse family, renowned for its ability to change plumage color with the seasons. In winter, its feathers are white to blend in with snow, while in summer, they are brown and mottled to camouflage with the rocky tundra. They are primarily found in mountainous and northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Ptarmigans are well adapted to cold environments and are known for their strong feet, which help them walk on snow.

Synonyms

lagopus

Examples of usage

  • I saw a ptarmigan while hiking in the snowy mountains.
  • The ptarmigan's white feathers help it stay hidden from predators.
  • In Alaska, many hunters seek ptarmigan during the winter season.
  • Ptarmigans can be quite vocal during mating season.

Translations

Translations of the word "ptarmigan" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น ptarmigan

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเคพเคฐเคŸเฅเคฐเคฟเคœ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Birkhuhn

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ptarmigan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบัƒั€ั–ะฟะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ pardwa

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒฉใ‚คใƒใƒงใ‚ฆ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท lagopรจde

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ perdiz nival

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kar kuลŸu

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ˆˆ์‚ฌํƒœ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุทุงุฆุฑ ุงู„ุซู„ุฌ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ snฤ›ลพnรฝ ptรกk

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ sneลพnรฝ vtรกk

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้›ท้ธŸ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ sneลพni ptiฤ

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ snjรณtittlingur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐั€ ั‚ะฐัƒั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ—แƒแƒ•แƒšแƒ˜แƒก แƒคแƒ แƒ˜แƒœแƒ•แƒ”แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qar quลŸu

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ perdiz de nieve

Etymology

The word 'ptarmigan' has its roots in the Scottish Gaelic term 'tarmachan', which refers to a bird similar to a grouse. The term was later adopted into Middle English, where it underwent some phonetic changes to arrive at its current form. The etymology highlights its connection to cold and mountainous regions, reflective of the bird's habitat. The alteration of 'tarmachan' to 'ptarmigan' is also indicative of the influence of other languages on Scottish Gaelic. Thus, this word not only identifies a unique bird species but also carries with it the rich cultural and environmental significance of the regions it inhabits.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,627 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.