gannet
gannet Lexical Profile
gannet Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large, heavily built seabird of the family Sulidae (genus Morus), native to coastal regions of the North Atlantic and parts of the Southern Hemisphere, characterized by a long neck, pointed bill, and a striking habit of high-speed plunge-diving to catch fish.
"The researchers watched from the cliff as a flock of gannets plunge-dived into the churning ocean to hunt mackerel."
British A person who is exceptionally greedy, especially one who eats voraciously and in large quantities.
"Don't be such a gannet; leave some sandwiches for the rest of the guests."
• Rhymes for gannet
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'ganot' (meaning 'sea-fowl' or 'gander'), derived from Proto-Germanic 'ganotaz'. It shares a distant etymological root with the word 'goose'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.