n. [ Gael. tarmachan; cf. Ir. tarmochan, tarmonach. ] (Zool.) Any grouse of the genus
☞ They chiefly inhabit the northern countries and high mountains of Europe, Asia, and America. The common European species is Lagopus mutus. The Scotch grouse, red grouse, or moor fowl (Lagopus Scoticus), is reddish brown, and does not turn white in winter. The white, or willow, ptarmigan (Lagopus albus) is found in both Europe and America. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr.&unr_; feathered + &unr_; tongue. ] (Zool.) A division of gastropod mollusks having the teeth of the radula arranged in long transverse rows, somewhat like the barbs of a feather. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. (Zool.) Of or pertaining to the Ptenoglossa. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Gr. &unr_; wing + &unr_; priv. + &unr_;, &unr_;, a tooth. ] (Paleon.) A genus of American Cretaceous pterodactyls destitute of teeth. Several species are known, some of which had an expanse of wings of twenty feet or more. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. pl. [ NL. ] (Paleon.) A group of pterodactyls destitute of teeth, as in the genus
‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; wing + &unr_; fish. ] (Paleon.) A genus of Devonian fossil fishes with winglike appendages. The head and most of the body were covered with large bony plates. See Placodermi. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who is versed in pteridology. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Gr. &unr_;, &unr_;, a fern + -logy. ] That department of botany which treats of ferns. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Gr. &unr_;, &unr_;, a fern + E. mania. ] A madness, craze, or strong fancy, for ferns. [ R. ] C. Kingsley. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. pl. [ NL., from Gr. &unr_;, &unr_;, a fern + &unr_; a plant. ] (Bot.) A class of flowerless plants, embracing ferns, horsetails, club mosses, quillworts, and other like plants. See the Note under Cryptogamia. --
☞ This is a modern term, devised to replace the older ones acrogens and vascular Cryptogamia. [1913 Webster]