jacana
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒakənə/
(also jaçana /ˌdʒasəˈnɑː/)
Definition of jacana
noun
- a small tropical wading bird with greatly elongated toes and claws that enable it to walk on floating vegetation. Also called lily-trotter.
- Family Jacanidae: several genera and species
Origin:
mid 18th century: from Portuguese jaçanã, from Tupi-Guarani jasanã