Definition of Petrel
1. Noun. Relatively small long-winged tube-nosed bird that flies far from land.
Generic synonyms: Oceanic Bird,
Pelagic BirdGroup relationships: Family Procellariidae,
ProcellariidaeSpecialized synonyms: Procellaria Aequinoctialis,
White-chinned Petrel,
Giant Fulmar,
Giant Petrel,
Macronectes Giganteus,
Fulmar,
Fulmar Petrel,
Fulmarus Glacialis,
Shearwater,
Storm Petrel
Definition of Petrel
1. n. Any one of numerous species of longwinged sea birds belonging to the family Procellaridæ. The small petrels, or Mother Carey's chickens, belong to Oceanites, Oceanodroma, Procellaria, and several allied genera.
Definition of Petrel
1. a small seabird [n -S]
Medical Definition of Petrel
1.
Any one of numerous species of longwinged sea birds belonging to the family Procellaridae. The small petrels, or Mother Carey's chickens, belong to Oceanites, Oceanodroma, Procellaria, and several allied genera. Diving petrel, any bird of the genus Pelecanoides. They chiefly inhabit the southern hemisphere. Fulmar petrel, Giant petrel. See Fulmar. Pintado petrel, the Cape pigeon. See Cape. Pintado petrel, any one of several small petrels, especially Procellaria pelagica, or Mother Carey's chicken, common on both sides of the Atlantic.
Origin: F. Petrel; a dim. Of the name Peter, L. Petrus, Gr. A stone (John i.42); probably so called in allusion to St.Peter's walking on the sea. See Petrify.
Source: Websters Dictionary
(01 Mar 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Petrel
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