gannet
nounmasculine/alkɐˈtɾaʃ/medium
al·ca·traz
Definitions
1A large seabird of the family Sulidae, with white plumage and black-tipped pointed wings, known for its gliding flight and plunge-diving for fish.
Gannets nest on the cliffs of the Portuguese coast.
We observed a flock of gannets diving to catch fish.
syn
Common collocations
northern gannetgannet colonygannet diving
2A common name given to various large seabirds, such as gannets (Sulidae) and, by extension, to other birds like the albatross (Diomedeidae).
In popular usage, sometimes confused with 'albatross'.
Ancient sailors feared gannets, seeing them as an omen of storm.
The albatross is sometimes mistakenly called a gannet.
Etymology
Do árabe 'al-ḡaṭṭās' (o mergulhador).