gannet

/'gænit/

Thân thiện

A gannet dives into the ocean to catch a fish.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large seabird: A gannet is a large, heavily built seabird known for its distinctive diving behavior to catch fish.
   • Noted for diving: It has a long, stout bill and is famous for its spectacular, high-speed plunges into the ocean from the air.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • We saw a northern gannet diving for fish off the coast.
  • Gannets often nest in large, noisy colonies on cliffs.

Advanced Usage

• "Gannet" as a metaphor: Informally, the word can be used to describe a greedy or voracious person, especially one who eats a lot.
  • After the hike, he ate like a gannet, finishing three sandwiches.

Variants and Related Words

• Northern gannet (n): The most common and widespread species of gannet, found in the North Atlantic.
• Cape gannet (n): A species of gannet found off the southern coasts of Africa.
• Gannetry (n): A breeding colony or nesting site of gannets.

Synonyms

• Booby: Another type of seabird in the same family (Sulidae) known for similar diving behavior.
• Solan goose: An old or regional name for the northern gannet.

Related Phrases

• "Like a gannet": An adverbial phrase used to describe someone eating very quickly and greedily.
  • The kids descended on the picnic table like gannets.

Related Idioms

• "To have the appetite of a gannet": To have a very large or insatiable appetite.
  • Don't worry about cooking too much; my brother has the appetite of a gannet.

Học thuật

Noun

1. large heavily built seabird with a long stout bill noted for its plunging dives for fish