petrel
/'petrəl/
Definition
- Noun:
- A relatively small, long-winged seabird with tube-shaped nostrils, belonging to the family Procellariidae. Petrels are known for their ability to fly long distances over the open ocean, far from land.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The sailor spotted a lone petrel skimming the waves.
- Petrels are often seen following ships in stormy weather.
- The Wilson's storm petrel is one of the most abundant bird species in the world.
Advanced Usage
- "Stormy petrel": This phrase refers specifically to birds of the genus (storm petrels), which are often seen before storms. Figuratively, a "stormy petrel" is a person whose arrival or presence is thought to signal trouble or conflict.
- The politician was considered a stormy petrel, as his speeches often sparked controversy.
Variants and Related Words
- Storm petrel (n): A specific group of small petrels (family Hydrobatidae) known for their fluttering flight close to the water's surface.
- Fulmar (n): A type of petrel in the genus .
- Shearwater (n): A related seabird in the same family (Procellariidae) as petrels, with similar long-winged, gliding flight.
Synonyms
- Tubenose: A general term for seabirds in the order Procellariiformes, which includes petrels, albatrosses, and shearwaters, named for their tubular nostrils.
- Seabird: A broad term for any bird that lives primarily on the ocean.
Related Phrases
- To follow like a petrel: To follow closely or persistently, akin to how petrels follow ships.
- The paparazzi followed the celebrity like a petrel.
Related Idioms
- A stormy petrel: An idiom for a person who brings or foreshadows turmoil.
- The new critic was a stormy petrel in the peaceful world of art history.
Noun
-
relatively small long-winged tube-nosed bird that flies far from land
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