ptarmigan
/ˈtɑːmɪɡən/ · noun
Meaning
- Any of three species of small grouse in the genus Lagopus found in subarctic tundra areas of North America and Eurasia.
Etymology / origin
From Scottish Gaelic tarmachan, of unknown origin. The pt- comes from a mistaken belief in a Greek origin, as if related to ptero- (“wing”).
- tarmachan(Scottish Gaelic)→
- ptarmigan (English)
- Relations: bor
Related words
Sources
No citations have been attached yet.