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pelican

Pronunciation: /ˈpɛlɪk(ə)n/

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Definition of pelican

noun

  • a large gregarious waterbird with a long bill, an extensible throat pouch for scooping up fish, and mainly white or grey plumage.
    • Family Pelecanidae and genus Pelecanus: several species

Origin:

late Old English pellicane, via late Latin from Greek pelekan, probably based on pelekus 'axe' (with reference to its bill)

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