ptarmigan

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   large Arctic and subarctic grouse with feathered feet and usually white winter plumage

2. 2
   noun

   Any of three species of small grouse in the genus Lagopus found in subarctic tundra areas of North America and Eurasia.

Simplified etymology

Ptarmigan comes from Scottish Gaelic tàrmachan, a word of uncertain origin. The initial p did not appear until the late 17th century and was probably added under the influence of Greek words beginning pt-, especially pteron “wing.”

From Scottish Gaelic tarmachan, of unknown origin. The pt- comes from a mistaken belief in a Greek origin, as if related to ptero- (“wing”).

Topics

External links

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