ratite Hear it!

ratite definition

rat·ite (rat′īt)

adjective

designating a former group (Ratitae) of large, flightless birds of various orders having a flat breastbone without the keel-like ridge of flying birds

Etymology: < L ratitus, marked with the figure of a raft < ratis, raft, prob. < IE base *rēt-, *rōt-, beam > rood

noun

any bird with such a breastbone, as the cassowary, ostrich, or kiwi

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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