gallinaceous

[ gal-uh-ney-shuhs ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the group of mainly heavy-bodied, ground-feeding domestic and game birds that comprise the order Galliformes, which includes all species of chicken, turkey, grouse, pheasant, quail, and partridge.

gallinaceous

/ ˌɡælɪˈneɪʃəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Galliformes, an order of birds, including domestic fowl, pheasants, grouse, etc, having a heavy rounded body, short bill, and strong legs
2. of, relating to, or resembling the domestic fowl

Word History and Origins

Origin of gallinaceous¹

First recorded in 1775–85; from Latin gallīnāceus “pertaining to poultry,” equivalent to gallīn(a) “hen” (derivative of gallus “cock, rooster”) + -āceus adjective suffix; -aceous

Word History and Origins

Origin of gallinaceous¹

C18: from Latin gallīnāceus, from gallīna hen

Example Sentences

This gallinaceous volume — possibly his 32nd, who can keep count? — includes a gallery of his paintings of chickens, anecdotes from his remarkable life and recipes that are more story than instruction.

From Washington Post

And the gusto with which the last stanza turns the idea on its head, and rejects, after all, the precautionary measure of counting chickens, is highly satisfying: "A gallinaceous fixation beclouds the mind."

From The Guardian

Nearly all the diseases of gallinaceous fowls arise from cold moisture.

From Project Gutenberg

In common with the family to which they belong, they have the hind toe of the foot placed on a level with the others, thus resembling the pigeons, and unlike the majority of gallinaceous birds.

From Project Gutenberg

Turkey, turk′i, n. a large gallinaceous bird, a native of America—not Turkey.—ns.

From Project Gutenberg