capercaillie

noun

cap·​er·​cail·​lie ˌka-pər-ˈkā-lē How to pronounce capercaillie (audio)
-ˈkāl-yē
variants or capercailzie
plural capercaillie or capercailzies also capercaillies or capercailzie
: a very large European grouse (Tetrao urogallus) of hilly coniferous woodlands

Examples of capercaillie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now, with the body of a western capercaillie as evidence, authorities in southwestern Germany are trying to determine what happened. BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2019 With luck, spot an elusive capercaillie, an endemic Scottish crossbill, or a magnificent golden eagle. National Geographic, 12 June 2019 Concealed within these forests are Tengalman’s owl, capercaillie and black woodpecker. Smithsonian, 15 June 2018

Word History

Etymology

Scottish Gaelic capalcoille, literally, horse of the woods

First Known Use

1536, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of capercaillie was in 1536

Dictionary Entries Near capercaillie

Cite this Entry

“Capercaillie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capercaillie. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!