Pelican

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈpÉ›l.ɪ.kÉ™n/, /ˈpÉ›l.É™.kÉ™n/

Origin

From Old English pellicane, from Latin pelecānus, from Ancient Greek πελεκάν.

Full definition of pelican

Noun

1. Any of various seabirds of the family Pelecanidae, having a long bill with a distendable pouch.
2. A native or resident of the American state of Louisiana.
3. (chemistry, obsolete) A retort or still having a curved tube or tubes leading back from the head to the body for continuous condensation and redistillation.

Derived terms

• pelican crossing
• pelicanist

Anagrams

• capelin
• in place
• panicle