toucan

Definition

Any of various neotropical frugivorous birds from the family Ramphastidae, with a large colorful beak.

Etymology

Borrowed from French toucan, borrowed from Old Tupi tukana, from Proto-Tupi-Guarani *tũkãn, from Proto-Tupian *jɨokãn.

Example Sentences

• "The ear, small and shapely, the arch of the foot, the curve in mouth and nostril, even the indurated hand dyed to the orange-tawny of the toucan's bill, a hand telling alike of the halyards and tar-bucket;"

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