razorbill
Noun A black-and-white seabird (Alca torda) of the auk family, native to the northern Atlantic Ocean, characterized by a deep, laterally compressed bill with sharp edges and a white vertical stripe.
The word "razorbill" is used as a countable noun to refer to this specific species of bird. It is typically used in ornithological, zoological, and general nature contexts. * The razorbill is often seen nesting on steep coastal cliffs alongside puffins and guillemots. * Researchers are monitoring the razorbill population to assess the health of the marine ecosystem. * We spotted several razorbills diving for fish off the coast.
- Collective Reference: The term can be used collectively to refer to the species as a whole.
- The razorbill is protected under international conservation agreements.
- Razorbill Auk: An alternative full name emphasizing its taxonomic family.
- Alca torda: The scientific binomial name for the species.
- Auk: A broader term for birds in the family Alcidae, which includes the razorbill, puffins, and guillemots. (Note: "auk" is a hypernym, not a direct synonym.)
The word "razorbill" has only one primary meaning, referring specifically to the seabird Alca torda. It is not commonly used in other contexts or as part of idioms.
- black-and-white northern Atlantic auk having a compressed sharp-edged bill