Definition of Penguin
1. Noun. Short-legged flightless birds of cold southern especially Antarctic regions having webbed feet and wings modified as flippers.
Group relationships: Family Spheniscidae,
SpheniscidaeGeneric synonyms: Sphenisciform SeabirdSpecialized synonyms: Adelie,
Adelie Penguin,
Pygoscelis Adeliae,
Aptenodytes Patagonica,
King Penguin,
Aptenodytes Forsteri,
Emperor Penguin,
Jackass Penguin,
Spheniscus Demersus,
Crested Penguin,
Rock Hopper
Definition of Penguin
1. n. Any bird of the order Impennes, or Ptilopteri. They are covered with short, thick feathers, almost scalelike on the wings, which are without true quills. They are unable to fly, but use their wings to aid in diving, in which they are very expert. See King penguin, under Jackass.
Definition of Penguin
1. a flightless, aquatic bird [n -S]
Medical Definition of Penguin
1.
1. Any bird of the order Impennes, or Ptilopteri. They are covered with short, thick feathers, almost scalelike on the wings, which are without true quills. They are unable to fly, but use their wings to aid in diving, in which they are very expert. See King penguin, under Jackass.
Penguins are found in the south temperate and antarctic regions. The king penguins (Aptenodytes Patachonica, and A. Longirostris) are the largest; the jackass penguins (Spheniscus) and the rock hoppers (Catarractes) congregate in large numbers at their breeding grounds.
2. The egg-shaped fleshy fruit of a West Indian plant (Bromelia Pinguin) of the Pineapple family; also, the plant itself, which has rigid, pointed, and spiny-toothed leaves, and is used for hedges.
Alternative forms: pinguin] Arctic penguin, the great auk. See Auk.
Origin: Perh. Orig. The name of another bird, and fr. W. Pen head + gwyn white; or perh. From a native South American name.
Source: Websters Dictionary
(01 Mar 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Penguin
Other Resources:
Afrikaans