ratite

[ rat-ahyt ]

adjective
  1. having a flat, unkeeled sternum, as an ostrich, cassowary, emu, or moa.

noun
  1. a bird having a ratite breastbone.

Origin of ratite

1
1875–80; <Latin rat(is) raft + -ite2

Words Nearby ratite

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How to use ratite in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ratite

ratite

/ (ˈrætaɪt) /


adjective
  1. (of flightless birds) having a breastbone that lacks a keel for the attachment of flight muscles

  2. of or denoting the flightless birds, formerly classified as a group (the Ratitae), that have a flat breastbone, feathers lacking vanes, and reduced wings

noun
  1. a bird, such as an ostrich, kiwi, or rhea, that belongs to this group; a flightless bird

Origin of ratite

1
C19: from Latin ratis raft

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