rectrix

[ rek-triks ]

noun

, Ornithology.

, plural rec·tri·ces [rek-, trahy, -seez, rek, -tr, uh, -seez].

1. one of the tail feathers of a bird controlling direction during flight.

rectrix

/ rɛkˈtrɪʃəl; ˈrɛktrɪks /

noun

1. any of the large stiff feathers of a bird's tail, used in controlling the direction of flight

Derived Forms

• rectricial, adjective

Other Words From

• rec·tri·cial [rek-, trish, -, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rectrix¹

1605–15; < Latin rēctrīx, feminine of rēctor rector

Word History and Origins

Origin of rectrix¹

C17: from Late Latin, feminine of rector governor, rector

Example Sentences

Description.—Above cinereous; wings blackish cinereous with light edgings; tail dark cinereous, with a distinct white margin to the external rectrix, and slight whitish tips to all rectrices; lores blackish; short superciliaries white: - 112 -below pale cinereous; throat white, broadly striated with black; bill above black, below pale: whole length 9·0 inches, wing 4·5, tail 4·3.

From Project Gutenberg

Description.—Above dark cinereous, rump rufescent; wings black, cross-bands on wing-coverts and edges of outer secondaries rufous; tail blackish, outer web of external rectrix white; beneath pale cinereous; lower belly, crissum, and under wing-coverts white; bill and feet black: whole length 5·2 inches, wing 3·0, tail 2·7.

From Project Gutenberg

Description.—Above cinereous, rump blackish; cap jet-black, with a concealed yellow vertical crest; wings dark brown; tail black, outer web of the outer rectrix white; beneath white; bill and feet black; three outer primaries excised at the tips: whole length 14·0 inches, wing 4·6, tail 12·0.

From Project Gutenberg

Description.—Above earthy brown; wing-feathers blackish brown, their basal parts pale chestnut-brown, forming a transverse bar; tail blackish, the three outer rectrices and outer web of the fourth rectrix on each side wholly pale chestnut-brown; beneath pale earthy brown, clearer on the belly, and with a bright fulvous spot on the throat; under wing-coverts pale cinnamomeous; bill and feet blackish: whole length 6·5 inches, wing 2·3, tail 2·8.

From Project Gutenberg

Description.—Above clear cinereous; lores and short superciliaries whitish; well-defined nape-patch bright rufous; wings brownish; upper tail-coverts and tail black, outer margin of outer rectrix white: below clear cinereous white, brighter on lower belly, crissum, and under wing-coverts; bill and feet black: whole length 6·5 inches, wing 4·0, tail 2·8.

From Project Gutenberg