alcid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “alcid” mean?
A bird of the family Alcidae, which includes auks, puffins, and murres.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bird of the family Alcidae, which includes auks, puffins, and murres.
A diving seabird with a black-and-white appearance, characterized by a short tail and a body adapted for swimming. Sometimes used more broadly in ornithological contexts to refer to any member of this family.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties, being confined to scientific/ornithological contexts.
Connotations
Neutral, purely descriptive taxonomic term.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside of specialised birdwatching, zoology, or conservation texts.
Grammar
How to Use “alcid” in a Sentence
The {adjective} alcid {verbs}Alcids {verb} {noun phrase}Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biology, zoology, ornithology, and environmental science texts discussing seabirds.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Standard term in ornithology, bird field guides, and conservation literature for the family Alcidae.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alcid”
- Pronouncing it as /ˈælkɪd/ (like 'alcohol') or /ælˈsaɪd/.
- Confusing it with other seabird families like penguins (Spheniscidae) or gulls (Laridae).
- Using it as a general term for any seabird.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An auk is a type of alcid. 'Alcid' is the family name (Alcidae), which includes auks, puffins, guillemots, murres, and razorbills.
Alcids are found primarily in the colder waters of the Northern Hemisphere, especially in the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans.
Most alcid species can fly, though they are more adept at swimming and diving. The great auk was an exception, being flightless.
It is a highly technical, scientific term specific to ornithology. In everyday language, people use the common names of specific birds, like 'puffin' or 'auk'.
A bird of the family Alcidae, which includes auks, puffins, and murres.
Alcid is usually technical/scientific in register.
Alcid: in British English it is pronounced /ˈalsɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈælsɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Alcid' sounds like 'aulk' or 'auk', which is a type of alcid. Imagine an 'ALCid' diving into the cold ICY water.
Conceptual Metaphor
Alcids are the 'penguins of the north'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT an alcid?