altricial

altricial Definition

al·tri·cial (al tris̸h′əl)

adjective

designating or of birds whose newly hatched young are helpless and hence confined to the nest for some time; nidicolous

Etymology: ModL altricialis < L altrix, a nurse, fem. of altor, one who nourishes < alere, to feed: see old

altricial Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

animal: Altricial animals often follow the first thing they see after they are born.

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