Word of the Day

: July 3, 2008

peregrine

adjective PAIR-uh-grin

What It Means

: having a tendency to wander

peregrine in Context

"Birders are peregrine by nature, typically traveling to distant destinations in pursuit of their hobby. . .." (James F. McCarty, Plain Dealer [Cleveland], June 1, 2006)

Did You Know?

The current meaning of "peregrine" has wandered a bit from its earlier meanings. The word originally meant "foreign," as did its Latin predecessor "peregrinus." But even before "peregrine" appeared on its own in English, it was part of the name of that well-known bird of prey, the peregrine falcon. The bird's appellation derives from "falco peregrinus" -- literally, "pilgrim falcon" in Medieval Latin. Peregrine falcons typically nest in high places, such as on cliff ledges or, in modern times, city skyscrapers. Because of the nests' inaccessibility, medieval falconers who wanted young peregrine falcons to train had capture them on their first flights or migratory "pilgrimages." That practice led to a new sense of "peregrine" ("engaged in or traveling on a pilgrimage"), which was later broadened to "wandering."