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pelican

[ pel-i-kuhn ]

noun

  1. any of several large, totipalmate, fish-eating birds of the family Pelecanidae, having a large bill with a distensible pouch.
  2. a still or retort with two tubes that leave the body from the neck, curve in opposite directions, and reenter the body through the belly.


pelican

/ ˈɛɪə /

noun

  1. any aquatic bird of the tropical and warm water family Pelecanidae, such as P. onocrotalus ( white pelican ): order Pelecaniformes. They have a long straight flattened bill, with a distensible pouch for engulfing fish
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pelican1

before 1000; Middle English pellican, Old English < Late Latin Գܲ, variant of < Greek ́
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pelican1

Old English pellican, from Late Latin Գܲ, from Greek ; perhaps related to Greek pelekus axe, perhaps from the shape of the bird's bill; compare Greek pelekas woodpecker
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Brown pelicans are filling up Southern California wildlife rehabilitation centers.

From

But more recently, officials have also been responding to an influx of baby pelicans that aren’t sick from the toxins — but are struggling to survive because they’re extremely malnourished.

From

On the day of the accident, she had illegally parked her car on a pelican crossing before attempting to perform a U-turn.

From

The massive slick of oil engulfed and killed hundreds of marine animals, including, seals, dolphins and pelicans.

From

It was the ninth Banksy to appear in as many days in London and follows images of a goat, elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans, a cat, piranhas and a rhinoceros.

From

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Peliaspelican crossing