A collective noun (or collective name) is a name which denotes or represents a number of individual items. For example, a number of sheep together is known as a 'flock'. The word 'flock' is the collective noun for a number of sheep. Some items have multiple collective nouns, for example a collection of goats can be known as a 'herd', a 'tribe' or a 'trip'.
Ambush is the collective noun for a group of tigers.
Army is the collective noun for a group of frogs, ants,
Array is the collective noun for a group of hedgehogs.
Badelynge is the collective noun for a group of ducks on the ground.
Bale is the collective noun for a group of turtles.
Barren is the collective noun for a group of mules.
Basket is the collective noun for a group of plums.
Battery is the collective noun for a group of barracuda.
Bazaar is the collective noun for a group of guillemots.
Bed is the collective noun for a group of clams.
Bench is the collective noun for a group of bishops, magistrates.
Bevy is the collective noun for a group of quail, roes, swans, pheasants, ladies.
Brace is the collective noun for a group of bucks.
Brood is the collective noun for a group of chickens.
Building is the collective noun for a group of rooks.
Bunch is the collective noun for a group of grapes, flowers.
Bundle is the collective noun for a group of asparagus.
Business is the collective noun for a group of ferrets.
Caravan is the collective noun for a group of camels.
Cast is the collective noun for a group of hawks, falcons.
Cete is the collective noun for a group of badgers.
Charm is the collective noun for a group of goldfinches.
Chatter is the collective noun for a group of budgerigars.
Chattering is the collective noun for a group of choughs.
Chine is the collective noun for a group of polecats.
Clamour is the collective noun for a group of rooks.
Clous is the collective noun for a group of gnats.
Clowder is the collective noun for a group of cats.
Clump is the collective noun for a group of trees.
Cluster is the collective noun for a group of grapes, spiders.
Clutch is the collective noun for a group of eggs.
Clutter is the collective noun for a group of spiders.
Colony is the collective noun for a group of gulls, frogs, penguins, ants, beavers.
Company is the collective noun for a group of widgeon, parrots.
Congregation is the collective noun for a group of plovers.
Convocation is the collective noun for a group of eagles.
Covert is the collective noun for a group of coots.
Covey is the collective noun for a group of partridges, grouse.
Crash is the collective noun for a group of rhinoceros.
The dabchick (Podiceps ruficollis) or little grebe is an English divingbird of the grebe (Podicipedidae) family. The dabchick is to be found in ponds and rivers throughout most of the old world, but not in arctic regions. It feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, insects and some plant material. The large nest is built of wet, rotting aquatic plants and may float on the water or rest in shallow water. Research Dabchick
Eel grass is the species of the genusvallisneria. The flowers are unisexual, the female flowers floating on the surface of the water, whilst the male flowers become detached from the plant and float to the surface. Research Eel Grass
Ianthina (purple shell or violet snail) is a genus of beautiful pelagic gastropods of a violet colour. They float at the surface of the sea, with the thin shells upturned and feed on various kinds of jelly-fish. A special peculiarity is the 'raft', which is attached to the foot, and has the egg capsules suspended from its under surface. This raft or float consists of a mucoid substance, and is filled with air-bubbles, by means of which it sustains the attached animal at the surface of the water. The ancient Tyrian purple dye was obtained in part from these animals. Research Ianthina
The lattice leaf (Ouvirandra fenestralis) is a Madagascan water plant of the family Juncaginaceae. The leaves are of an open structure, about twenty centimetres long, rectangular and float just below the surface of the water. The flowers are borne in spikes on the surface. The roots of the plant are used as an article of food by the natives of Madagascar. Research Lattice Leaf
Physalia, the Portuguese Man-of-war, is a genus of siphonophora, whose members are frequently found floating at the surface in warm seas. They live in colonies, and have a large air-filled bladder on top and numerous hanging tentacles made up of feeding, stinging, and reproductive individuals. The float can be 30cm long. Research Physalia
White Water Lily (Nymphaea alba) is a perennial aquatic herb of the family Nymphaeaceae, with a stout creeping rhizome bearing long-stalked, roundish, leathery leaves which are greenish above and often a reddish colour below. The flowers are showy, white in colour, long-stalked and only open in sunshine. Both the flowers and the leaves float on the surface of the water. The fruit is a globose fleshy capsule which ripens and splits open under water. Research White Water Lily
Yellow water lily (Nuphar lutea) or brandy bottle, is a perennial aquatic herb of the family Nymphaeaceae, with a stout creeping rhizome bearing long- stalked, broadly ovate to cordate, tough, ; leathery leaves that float on the water's surface. The flowers are large, yellow and have a smell of alcohol and grow on long stalks above the water. The fruit is a fleshy, flask-shaped (or brandy bottle shaped) capsule which has air bladders in its tissues so that it stays afloat for a while. Research Yellow Water Lily
The acadine was a fountain in Sicily which, according to legend, would reveal if writings were truthful. Written documents to be tested were thrown into the fountain, those which were false or spurious would sink to the bottom, faithful and sincere documents would float. The fountain was used to test oaths and promises. Research Acadine
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Collective Noun
