gallinule

[ gal-uh-nool, -nyool ]

noun

1. any aquatic bird of the family Rallidae, having elongated, webless toes.

gallinule

/ ˈɡælɪˌnjuːl /

noun

1. any of various aquatic birds of the genera Porphyrio and Porphyrula, typically having a dark plumage, red bill, and a red shield above the bill: family Rallidae (rails)
2. See moorhen
   common gallinule
   common gallinule the US name for moorhen

Word History and Origins

Origin of gallinule¹

1770–80; < New Latin Gallinula a genus name, Late Latin gallīnula chicken, equivalent to Latin gallīn ( a ) hen + -ula -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of gallinule¹

C18: from New Latin Gallīnula genus name, from Late Latin: pullet, chicken, from Latin gallīna hen

Example Sentences

They nest in colonies in marshes and swamps, building their nests like those of the Purple Gallinule.

From Project Gutenberg

Alae (Hawaiian gallinule): Native bird figuring largely in Hawaiian legends.

From Project Gutenberg

He took my reproof in good part, protesting that he had had only a glimpse of the bird, and had taken it for a possible gallinule.

From Project Gutenberg

The Florida gallinule is in general pretty silent, I think; but he has a noisy season; then he is indeed noisy enough.

From Project Gutenberg

A good many of my jaunts took me past the gallinule swamp before mentioned, and almost always I stopped and went near.

From Project Gutenberg