mollymawk

[ mol-ee-mawk ]

noun

1. any of various oceanic birds, as the fulmar or albatross.

mollymawk

/ ˈmɒlɪˌmɔːk /

noun

1. an informal name for mallemuck

Word History and Origins

Origin of mollymawk¹

First recorded in 1685–95; from Dutch mallemok, equivalent to malle, variant of mal “foolish” + mok “seagull”

Example Sentences

The bottle sidled between an ethereal shopping bag and a cracked shoehorn, was sucked down and spat up, its green sides glittering in the sun. A mollymawk snapped at it.

From The Guardian

The mollymawks with their beautiful white breasts were skimming the green water.

From Project Gutenberg

He also came upon a mollymawk rookery on the south-western point of the island, and managed to take one of the birds by hand.

From Project Gutenberg

The mollymawk tore at it, and carried away a smeared strip to feed to its chicks, who would die with bellies distended by this stuff.

From The Guardian

During the heavy weather, Mother Carey's chickens only were seen, but, as the wind abated, the majestic wandering albatross, the sooty albatross and the mollymawk followed in our wake.

From Project Gutenberg