flocculent

English

WOTD – 18 May 2006

Etymology

From Latin floccus (“flock of wool”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈflɒk.jə.lənt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈflɑk.jə.lənt/

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Adjective

flocculent (comparative more flocculent, superlative most flocculent)

1. Flocculated, resembling bits of wool; woolly.
   • 1871 May, T[homas] H[enry] Potts, “Art. XI.—On the Birds of New Zealand. [...] (Part II.)”, in James Hector, editor, Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute, 1870, volume III, Wellington: James Hughes, printer, […]; London: Trübner 7 Co., […], →OCLC, pages 61–62:

     As soon as night begins to spread its darkening shadows over our brief twilight, this active creature [the morepork] sets out on its hunting excursions, roaming over field and gully with soft, noiseless flight, one of the advantages it owes to its flocculent plumage; [...]

2. Covered in a woolly substance; downy.
3. Flaky.

Derived terms

• flocculent spiral galaxy

Translations

woolly

• Hebrew: צמרירי (he)
• Russian: пуши́стый (ru) (pušístyj)

Noun

flocculent (plural flocculents)

1. (astronomy) diminutive of flocculent spiral galaxy

Antonyms

• (antonym(s) of "galaxy"): grand design

Hyponyms

• (galaxy): multi-arm