Goose \Goose\ (g[=oo]s), n.; pl. Geese (g[=e]s). [OE. gos, AS.
g[=o]s, pl. g[=e]s; akin to D. & G. gans, Icel. g[=a]s, Dan.
gaas, Sw. g[*a]s, Russ. guse. OIr. geiss, L. anser, for
hanser, Gr. chh`n, Skr. ha[.m]sa. [root]233. Cf. Gander,
Gannet, Ganza, Gosling.]
(Zo["o]l.)
1. Any large web-footen bird of the subfamily Anserin[ae],
and belonging to Anser, Branta, Chen, and several
allied genera. See Anseres.
Note: The common domestic goose is believed to have been
derived from the European graylag goose (Anser
anser). The bean goose (A. segetum), the American
wild or Canada goose (Branta Canadensis), and the
bernicle goose (Branta leucopsis) are well known
species. The American white or snow geese and the blue
goose belong to the genus Chen. See Bernicle,
Emperor goose, under Emperor, Snow goose, Wild
goose, Brant.
2. Any large bird of other related families, resembling the
common goose.
Note: The Egyptian or fox goose (Alopochen [AE]gyptiaca)
and the African spur-winged geese (Plectropterus)
belong to the family Plectropterid[ae]. The
Australian semipalmated goose (Anseranas semipalmata)
and Cape Barren goose (Cereopsis
Nov[ae]-Hollandi[ae]) are very different from northern
geese, and each is made the type of a distinct family.
Both are domesticated in Australia.
3. A tailor's smoothing iron, so called from its handle,
which resembles the neck of a goose.
4. A silly creature; a simpleton.
5. A game played with counters on a board divided into
compartments, in some of which a goose was depicted.
The pictures placed for ornament and use, The twelve
good rules, the royal game of goose. --Goldsmith.
A wild goose chase, an attempt to accomplish something
impossible or unlikely of attainment.
Fen goose. See under Fen.
Goose barnacle (Zo["o]l.), any pedunculated barnacle of the
genus Anatifa or Lepas; -- called also duck
barnacle. See Barnacle, and Cirripedia.
Goose cap, a silly person. [Obs.]
--Beau. & .
Goose corn (Bot.), a coarse kind of rush (Juncus
squarrosus).
Goose feast, Michaelmas. [Colloq. Eng.]
Goose flesh, a peculiar roughness of the skin produced by
cold or fear; -- called also goose skin.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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