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flamen
flamenco
flameout
flameproof
flamethrower
flamines
flaming
flaming sword
flamingo
Flaminian Way
flammable
flan
flan ring
Flanders
Flanders poppy
flânerie
flâneur
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flamingo

fla·min·go [ flə míng gō ] (plural fla·min·gos or fla·min·goes or fla·min·go)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. large pink wading bird: a large long-necked wading bird with a downward-curving beak, webbed feet, and pinkish white plumage with black wing feathers. Native to: tropical brackish waters.  Family Phoenicopteridae.

2. deep pink color: a deep pink color tinged with orange

[Mid-16th century. Via Portuguese< obsolete Spanish flamengo]

fla·min·go adjective

Word History

Whether its ultimate source is Dutch or Latin, the motivation behind the bird's name is its bright appearance. The Latin derivation would make it the "flame"-colored bird; the Dutch derivation would depend on the reputation the people of Flanders had in the Middle Ages for bright flamboyant dress (whence the Spanish dance, theflamenco).

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