pel|i|can

pel|i|can
pel|i|can «PEHL uh kuhn», noun.
a very large fish-eating water bird having a huge bill and a pouch on the bottom side of the bill for scooping up fish. There are several kinds. In fable, the pelican was said to feed her young with her own blood. »

What, would'st Thou have me turn Pelican and feed thee out of my own vitals (William Congreve). Pelicans are large grotesque birds with comical faces and a remarkable talent for fishing (Science News Letter).

╂[< Late Latin pelicānus < Greek pelek, -ânos, perhaps ultimately < pélekys, -eos ax (because of the shape of its bill)]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • pel·i·can — /ˈpɛlıkən/ noun, pl cans [count] : a large ocean bird that has a large bag that is part of its lower bill for catching and holding fish …   Useful english dictionary

  • pel — pel·age; pel·a·go·thu·ria; pel·a·myd; pel·ar·gon·aldehyde; pel·ar·go·nate; pel·ar·gon·ic; pel·ar·gon·i·din; pel·ar·go·nin; pel·ar·go·ni·um; pel·e·can·i·dae; pel·e·can·i·for·mes; pel·e·ca·noi·des; pel·e·ca·nus; pel·e·cin·i·dae; pel·e·cyp·o·da;… …   English syllables

  • can — a·can·thus; ac·o·can·thera; af·ri·can·ism; af·ri·can·i·za·tion; af·ri·can·ize; af·ri·can·oid; af·ri·can·thro·pus; alas·can; al·can·na; ali·can·te; al·mu·can·tar; amer·i·can·ese; amer·i·can·ess; amer·i·can·ism; amer·i·can·ist; amer·i·can·is·tic;… …   English syllables

  • pel-4 —     pel 4     English meaning: a kind of vessel, dish     Deutsche Übersetzung: in Gefäßbezeichnungen     Material: O.Ind. pülavi “a kind of Geschirr”; pürī “Melkeimer”, püla m. “Almosentopf, ein bestimmtes measure of capacity “, pülikü… …   Proto-Indo-European etymological dictionary

  • PEL —    Picture element, the smallest graphic unit that can be displayed on a screen …   IT glossary of terms, acronyms and abbreviations

  • com|pel´ler — com|pel «kuhm PEHL», transitive verb, pelled, pel|ling. 1. to drive or urge with force; force: »Rain compelled us to stop our ball game. Circumstances compel us to economize. 2. to bring about by force; command: »A policeman can compel obedience… …   Useful english dictionary

  • com|pel´la|ble — com|pel «kuhm PEHL», transitive verb, pelled, pel|ling. 1. to drive or urge with force; force: »Rain compelled us to stop our ball game. Circumstances compel us to economize. 2. to bring about by force; command: »A policeman can compel obedience… …   Useful english dictionary

  • com|pel — «kuhm PEHL», transitive verb, pelled, pel|ling. 1. to drive or urge with force; force: »Rain compelled us to stop our ball game. Circumstances compel us to economize. 2. to bring about by force; command: »A policeman can compel obedience to the… …   Useful english dictionary

  • re|pel´ler — re|pel «rih PEHL», verb, pelled, pel|ling. –v.t. 1. to force back; drive back; drive away: »They repelled the enemy. We can repel bad thoughts. 2. to keep off or out; fail to mix with: »Oil and water repel each other. This tent repels moisture …   Useful english dictionary

  • re|pel — «rih PEHL», verb, pelled, pel|ling. –v.t. 1. to force back; drive back; drive away: »They repelled the enemy. We can repel bad thoughts. 2. to keep off or out; fail to mix with: »Oil and water repel each other. This tent repels moisture …   Useful english dictionary

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