The Collaborative International Dictionary
Gallinaceous \Gal`li*na"ceous\, a.[L. gallinaceus, fr. gallina hen, fr. gallus cock.] (Zo["o]l.) Resembling the domestic fowls and pheasants; of or pertaining to the Gallinae.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"of or resembling domestic fowl," 1783, from Latin gallinaceus "of hens, of fowls, pertaining to poultry," from gallina "hen," a fem. formation from gallus "cock," probably from PIE root *gal- (2) "to call, shout" (see call (v.)) as "the calling bird." But it also has an ancient association with Gaul (see Gallic), and some speculate that this is the source of the word, "on the assumption that the Romans became acquainted with the cock from Gaul, where it was brought by the Phoenicians" [Buck].
Wiktionary
a. (context zoology English) related to the genus Gallus, poultry; notably said of the order Galliformes.
WordNet
adj. of or relating to a gallinacean
relating to or resembling fowl
Usage examples of "gallinaceous".
December of 1620 and their feast nearly a year later, the Pilgrims undoubtedly ate wild turkey, even if they forwent the large gallinaceous fowl at the famous feast itself.