Pēn'guin, n.

noun

(pĕn'gwin), n. [Fr. penguin, pin-goin, It. pinguino, pingouino, from Lat. pinguis, fat.] 1. (Ornith.) A web-footed marine bird, covered with close-set, short feathers, having short legs set far back, and wings destitute of quills. It is unable to fly, but swims and dives well, in which action both wings and legs are used. It is found only in the south temperate and frigid regions, where it represents the auk of the north. The king-penguin is Aptenodytes Patachonica; the jack-ass-penguin, A. demersa. Penguin (Spheniscus demersus). 2. A species of West India fruit. Miller.

An engraving of a long-billed water bird standing among reeds at the edge of the water.