emu

¹

[ ee-myoo ]

noun

1. a large, flightless, ratite bird, Emu ( Dromaius ) novaehollandiae, of Australia, resembling the ostrich but smaller and having a feathered head and neck and rudimentary wings.

EMU

²

1. Also electromagnetic unit.
2. Aerospace. extravehicular mobility unit.

e.m.u.

¹

abbreviation for

1. electromagnetic unit

emu

²

/ ˈiːmjuː /

noun

1. a large Australian flightless bird, Dromaius novaehollandiae, similar to the ostrich but with three-toed feet and grey or brown plumage: order Casuariiformes See also ratite

EMU

³

abbreviation for

1. European Monetary Union
2. Economic and Monetary Union
3. See e.m.u.

EMU

1. Abbreviation of electromagnetic unit

Word History and Origins

Origin of emu¹

1605–15; earlier emeu (in earliest E source emia, eme ), ultimately < Portuguese ema, attested in 1541 as a name for the cassowary (further origin obscure); the replacement of -a by -eu, etc., is unexplained

Word History and Origins

Origin of emu¹

C17: changed from Portuguese ema ostrich, from Arabic Na-`amah ostrich

Example Sentences

The newspaper reported that the birds had succeeded his pet emu, Toby, who regularly attacked his wife, the actor Cheryl Hines, and was later killed by a mountain lion.

From Los Angeles Times

Back at the house, Ms. Hines confirmed: “This emu was so aggressive.”

From New York Times

By analyzing data from T. rex remains as well as data from the theropod's closest living bird relatives, including emus and ostriches, Herculano-Houzel concluded that theropod brains had in excess of three billion neurons.

From Salon

And in “Edward the Emu,” by Sheena Knowles, an emu who has tired of the zoo tries on life as a seal, a lion and a snake.

From New York Times

In flightless birds, the number varies widely -- penguins have more than 40, while emus have none.

From Science Daily