Betwattled

/bɪˈtwɑːtəld/ adjective

Definition

Having wattles; furnished with wattles, the fleshy lobes hanging from the chin or neck of certain birds or animals.

Etymology

From 'wattle' (fleshy lobes on birds, from Old English 'watul' or 'wætl') with the prefix 'be-' meaning 'to furnish with.' Wattles are prominent features on roosters, turkeys, and some other creatures.

Kelly Says

Roosters show off their bright red betwattled chins as a sign of health and dominance—those dangly bits are nature's way of advertising genetic fitness, and ornithologists can tell how healthy a bird is just by looking at them.

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