crissum

[ kris-uhm ]

noun

, Ornithology.

, plural cris·sa [kris, -, uh].

1. the region surrounding the cloacal opening beneath the tail of a bird.
2. the feathers of this region collectively.

crissum

/ ˈkrɪsəm /

noun

1. the area or feathers surrounding the cloaca of a bird

Derived Forms

• ˈcrissal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crissum¹

1870–75; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin criss ( āre ) to move the haunches + -um noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of crissum¹

C19: from New Latin, from Latin crissāre to move the haunches

Example Sentences

The researchers found that after seven days, there was no presence of the virus in the pharynx, crissum and lungs of the monkeys in the group with the highest dosage.

From Fox News

Description.—Above olive-grey, tinged with brown on the head and neck; beneath pale grey, throat white, more or less striped with brown; middle of belly and crissum white; under wing-coverts and inner margins of wing-feathers fulvous; bill yellow; feet hazel: total length 9·0 inches, wing 4·5, tail 3·7.

From Project Gutenberg

Description.—Above slaty grey, head black; below paler, chin white, striped- 5 - with black; middle of belly and crissum white; bill and feet pale yellow: total length 7·6 inches, wing 4·4, tail 3·5.

From Project Gutenberg

Female olive-brown, paler below, chin pale ochraceous; middle of belly and crissum white; bill brown, feet yellowish.

From Project Gutenberg

Description.—Above cinereous, wings and tail rather darker; short superciliaries white; beneath pale cinereous; throat white, with a blackish rictal stripe on each side; fore neck slightly tinged with fulvous; middle of belly whitish; lower belly and crissum strongly suffused with fulvous; under wing-coverts pale fulvous; bill black; feet brown: total length 8·5 inches, wing 4·3, tail 4·1.

From Project Gutenberg