Solans

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term that can refer to the family of gannet seabirds, noted for diving abilities ; or describe something belonging to or characteristic of the genus Sula ; or act as a reference to things connected with these marine birds
2. Used to denote members of a group of seabirds known for plunge-diving ; indicate affiliation with the Sula genus ; or identify traits specific to these oceanic avian species
3. Signifying a type of bird in the gannet family found at sea ; associating with species classified under Sula ; or pertaining to the behaviors or habitats of these particular birds

Etymology: "Solans" is the plural of "solan," the name for the gannet, a large seabird that nests in dense colonies on cliffs and islands. The word belongs to Scots and northern English usage, where gannets have long been known by it, particularly in the north of Britain and around the coasts of Scotland. The gannet's name in standard English, from Old English "ganot," is a separate word, so "solan" is best understood as a regional term that survived in the north while the standard name spread elsewhere. Because the plural form appears in the source as the entry headword, "solans" simply refers to more than one of these birds.

Synonyms: nightshades