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.
In 1609, after the departure of Captain John Smith for England, the settlers of Jamestown, Virginia were, during many months, reduced to the last extremities, being obliged to eat rats, snakes, toads and even dead bodies to prevent starvation. This was known as the 'starving time'. Research Starving Time
Acrochordidae is the 'File Snakes' family of reptiles of the suborder Serpentes (snakes). The family consists of a single genus and three species found in India, south-east Asia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and northern Australia. The members are almost completely aquatic, and live in fresh water, brackish water and sometimes sea water where they feed on live fish. They grow to a length of 250 cm, and the head and body is covered with small, finely-heeled and pointed scales with a rasp-like texture. Research Acrochordidae
The ajolote is a Mexican reptile of the genus Bipes. It and several other tropical burrowing species are placed in the Amphisbaenia, a group separate from lizards and snakes among the Squamata. Unlike the others, however, which have no legs, it has a pair of short but well-developed front legs. In line with its burrowing habits, the skull is very solid, the eyes small, and external ears absent. The scales are arranged in rings, giving the body a worm-like appearance. Research Ajolote
The Anaconda is a South American snake, a member of the python and boa family, the Boidae. One of the largest snakes, growing to nine metres or more in length, it is found in and near water, where it lies in wait for the birds and animals on which it feeds. The Anaconda is not venomous, but kills its prey by coiling round it and squeezing until the creature suffocates. The Anaconda is a climber as well as a swimmer, and may be found in trees along river banks. Research Anaconda
Aniliidae is the 'Cylinder Snakes' family of reptiles of the suborder Serpentes (snakes). Roughly ten species in three genera comprise the family Aniliidae, almost all of which have a vestigial pelvic girdle. All the members are ovovivipatous and possess cloacal spurs. They feed mainly on small amphibians and reptiles. Research Aniliidae
Anomalepidae is the 'American Blind Snakes' family of reptiles of the suborder Serpentes (snakes). The members are similar to the members of the family Typhlopidae, but some members possess a single tooth in the lower jaw. The family contains roughly twenty species in four genera which are native to Central and South America. Research Anomalepidae
Aparallactinae is the 'Mole Vipers' subfamily of reptiles of the typical snakes family, Colubridae, suborder Serpentes (Snakes). The subfamily contains about ten genera and about 45 species native to Africa and the Middle East. All the members are venomous, with the fangs set forward in the jaw, in some species the fangs are hinged and lie flat against the jaw until required to be erected. Research Aparallactinae
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Collective Noun
