gallinaceous

[ gal-uh-ney-shuhs ]

/ ˌgæl əˈneɪ ʃəs /

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adjective

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.

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Origin of gallinaceous

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

Words nearby gallinaceous

Galli-Curci, Gallienus, galligaskins, gallimaufry, gallinacean, gallinaceous, Gallinas, Gallinas Point, galling, gallinipper, gallinule

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gallinaceous in a sentence

The gallinaceous birds include the large blue grouse of the coast, replaced in the Rocky Mountains by the dusky grouse.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various
It is certain that between Claudit and the gallinaceous tribe obscure affinities existed.
The Surprises of Life|Georges Clemenceau
The grouse is a northern bird, extending into far colder regions than any other subfamily of the gallinaceous group.
Game Birds and Game Fishes of the Pacific Coast|Harry Thom Payne
Partridge, pr′trij, n. a genus of gallinaceous birds preserved for game.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various

Pheasant, fez′ant, n. a gallinaceous bird abundant in Britain, and highly valued as food.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for gallinaceous

gallinaceous

/ (ˌɡælɪˈneɪʃəs) /

adjective

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

of, relating to, or resembling the domestic fowl

Word Origin for gallinaceous

C18: from Latin gallīnāceus, from gallīna hen

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012