phalarope

phal·a·rope

noun \ˈfa-lə-ˌrōp\

plural phal·a·ropes also phal·a·rope

Definition of PHALAROPE

: any of a genus (Phalaropus) of small shorebirds related to sandpipers but distinguished by their lobed toes and preference for swimming

Origin of PHALAROPE

French, from New Latin phalaropod-, phalaropus, from Greek phalaris coot + pod-, pous foot; akin to Greek phalios having a white spot — more at bald, foot

First Known Use: circa 1776

Rhymes with PHALAROPE

antelope, antipope, arthroscope, biotope, bronchoscope, bunny slope, calliope, cryoscope, endoscope, envelope, episcope, epitope, fluoroscope, forlorn hope, gastroscope, gyroscope, horoscope, interlope, isotope, kinescope, microscope, misanthrope, periscope, radarscope, slippery slope, sniperscope, spectroscope, telescope

phalarope

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of three species (genus Phalaropus, family Scolopacidae) of slim-necked shorebirds, 6–10 in. (15–25 cm) long, with lobed toes and a straight, slender bill. In summer, their gray-and-white plumage has red markings. Females fight for nesting territory and court the males; males, smaller and duller, do all the nesting duties and lead the young south in autumn. Two species breed around the Arctic Circle and winter on tropical oceans, where they are known as sea snipe. Wilson's phalarope (P. tricolor) breeds in western North America and migrates to the Argentine pampas.