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Webster 1913 Edition


Ptarmigan

Ptar′mi-gan

,
Noun.
[Gael.
tarmachan
; cf. Ir.
tarmochan
,
tarmonach
.]
(Zool.)
Any grouse of the genus
Lagopus
, of which numerous species are known. The feet are completely feathered. Most of the species are brown in summer, but turn white, or nearly white, in winter.
☞ They chiefly inhabit the northern countries and high mountains of Europe, Asia, and America. The common European species is
Lagopus mutus
. The Scotch grouse, red grouse, or moor fowl (
Lagopus Scoticus
), is reddish brown, and does not turn white in winter. The white, or willow, ptarmigan (
Lagopus albus
) is found in both Europe and America.

Webster 1828 Edition


Ptarmigan

PT`ARMIGAN

,
Noun.
A fowl of the genus Tetrao,the lagopus or white game. The color of the plumage is a pale brown or ash, elegantly crossed or mottled with dusky spots and minute bars; the belly and wings are white. This fowl is seen on the summits of mountains in the north of England and of Scotland.

Definition 2024


ptarmigan

ptarmigan

English

Noun

ptarmigan (plural ptarmigan or ptarmigans)

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

Synonyms

  • (species of small grouse): lagopus (obsolete)

Derived terms

Translations