ratite
|reɪ-taɪt|
/ˈreɪ.taɪt/
flat-breasted flightless bird
Etymology
'ratite' originates from New Latin 'ratites', specifically from Latin 'ratis', where 'ratis' meant 'raft' (referring to the raft-like, flat sternum).
'ratite' was coined in the 19th century as a zoological term from New Latin 'ratites' and later adopted into modern English as 'ratite'.
Initially, it referred to having a 'raft-like' (flat) breastbone; over time it came to denote the group of large flightless birds characterized by that feature.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a large flightless bird of the group Ratites (such as ostriches, emus, cassowaries, rheas, and kiwis), characterized by a flat breastbone that lacks a keel.
The ostrich is the largest living ratite.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/24 02:34