Word of the Week: Peregrine

If your first word-association was peregrine falcon, awesome. If your first word-association was Peregrin Took, then even more awesome.

The most common usage of peregrine is when one is talking about the peregrine falcon, in which case the meaning is along the lines of pilgriming. This is because these falcons build their nests so high that in order to be captured one would have to wait until the bird's first flight or during its migratory 'pilgrimage'.

Peregrine's definition has been expanded as an adjective to mean: 'having a tendency to wander', which is why I like it so much. I think it's a beautiful word, with a nice mouthfeel, and it generally makes me feel a tad wistful.

If you thought of Peregrin (Pippin) Took from The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien, then you can understand how appropriate the underlayers of his name may be!

Peregrin (Pippin) Took played by Billy Boyd

And if you've read the My Side of the Mountain series by Jean Craighead George, hopefully you too have a fond memory of Frightful, who happens to be the only peregrine falcon character I know of! Do you know any others?

Comment and share this post, but don't wander too far.

See you next time,

-C