ani

[ ah-nee, ah-nee ]

noun

, plural a·nis.

1. any of several black, tropical American cuckoos of the genus Crotophaga, having a compressed, bladelike bill.

ani

/ ˈɑːnɪ /

noun

1. any of several gregarious tropical American birds of the genus Crotophaga: family Cuculidae (cuckoos). They have a black plumage, long square-tipped tail, and heavily hooked bill

Word History and Origins

Origin of ani¹

1820–30; < Spanish or Portuguese < Tupi or Guarani

Word History and Origins

Origin of ani¹

Spanish aní, from Tupi

Example Sentences

Come May 18, the Seal will be available in black, ivory, bright green, fuchsia and anis.

From Los Angeles Times

They were lustily downing pastis, the Provençal anis liqueur.

From New York Times

Hannity argued that ani intelligent person would wouldn't believe the accusations against the president.

From Fox News

Another 41 percent suffered tears to their levator ani muscle, which forms the majority of the pelvic floor and is situated on either side of the pelvis.

From US News

To find out why—and if the simultaneous hatching protects the chicks from infanticide—a scientist analyzed data on nestling mortality gathered at 104 communal greater ani nests from 2006 to 2015.

From Science Magazine