bernicle

1 definition found

bernicle - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Bernicle \Ber"ni*cle\, n. [OE. bernak, bernacle; cf. OF. bernac;
     prob. fr. LL. bernacula for hibernicula, bernicula, fr.
     Hibernia; the birds coming from Hibernia or Ireland. Cf. 1st
     Barnacle.]
     A bernicle goose. [Written also barnacle.]
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Bernicle goose (Zool.), a goose (Branta leucopsis), of
        Arctic Europe and America. It was formerly believed that
        it hatched from the cirripeds of the sea (Lepas), which
        were, therefore, called barnacles, goose barnacles, or
        Anatifers. The name is also applied to other related
        species. See Anatifa and Cirripedia.
        [1913 Webster]