gallinaceous

adjective

gal·​li·​na·​ceous ˌga-lə-ˈnā-shəs How to pronounce gallinaceous (audio)
: of or relating to an order (Galliformes) of heavy-bodied largely terrestrial birds including the pheasants, turkeys, grouse, and the common domestic chicken

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin gallīnāceus "of domestic fowl," from gallīna "hen" (from gallus "cock" —perhaps going back to an onomatopoeic base *gal-, seen also in Celtic, Germanic, and Slavic— + īna, feminine noun suffix) + -āceous -aceous — more at call entry 1

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gallinaceous was in 1693

Rhymes for gallinaceous

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Browse Nearby Words

gallinacean
gallinaceous
Gallinae
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Cite this Entry

“Gallinaceous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gallinaceous. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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