alcid

noun

al·​cid ˈal-səd How to pronounce alcid (audio)
: any of a family (Alcidae, the alcid family) of web-footed diving birds with short legs and wings that includes the auks, murres, and puffins

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Alcidae, from Alca type, genus, from Swedish alka auk, from Norwegian — more at auk

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alcid was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near alcid

Cite this Entry

“Alcid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcid. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!