ˈalsəˌdē noun plural
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from Alca, type genus + -idae
: a family of diving birds (order Charadriiformes) having short wings and tail, webbed feet, a large head and heavy body, and thick compact plumage, being confined to the northern parts of the northern hemisphere, and including the auks, puffins, guillemots, murres, and related forms