Definition

Noun: * Solant goose: A very large seabird, specifically a gannet, characterized by predominantly white plumage with distinctive black tips on its wings.

Usage Notes

• "Solant goose" is an archaic or regional name, primarily used in historical contexts or specific dialects. In modern ornithology and general English, the bird is almost exclusively called a gannet.
• The term precisely describes the Northern Gannet (), a species known for its dramatic plunge-diving to catch fish.
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).

Examples

• The sailors spotted a solant goose following the ship, its black wing tips stark against the white feathers.
• Old maritime logs often mention the solant goose as a common sight in the North Atlantic.
• A colony of solant geese was nesting on the remote cliffs.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be found in classic literature and historical texts describing sea voyages and coastal life.
• It may be used poetically or to evoke a specific historical or regional atmosphere.

Variants and Related Words

• Gannet (n.): The standard modern common name for the bird.
• Northern Gannet (n.): The full, precise species name.
• (n.): An older scientific synonym.
• Seabird (n.): The general category to which it belongs.

Synonyms

• Gannet
• Northern gannet

Notes on Meaning

• The definition refers specifically to one species of gannet, not to geese in general. It is a misnomer, as the bird is not a true goose but a member of the booby and gannet family (Sulidae).

Noun

1. very large white gannet with black wing tips