Today's words

vernissage \vair-nih-SAHZH\ - a private showing or preview of an art exhibition

It's as if the editors of Merriam-Webster's website seriously resolved to give me great new words of the day this year.

peafowl - either of two very large terrestrial pheasants (Pavo cristatus and P. muticus) of southeastern Asia and India that are often reared as ornamental fowls

peahen - a female peafowl

The peacock is the more familiar member of the family.  Can't remember where I ran into these two . . .