uropygium

[ yoor-uh-pij-ee-uhm ]

noun

, Ornithology.

1. the projecting terminal portion of a bird's body, from which the tail feathers spring.

uropygium

/ ˌjʊərəˈpɪdʒɪəm /

noun

1. the hindmost part of a bird's body, from which the tail feathers grow

Derived Forms

• ˌuroˈpygial, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of uropygium¹

1805–15; < New Latin < Greek ouropȳ́gion, variant (with ouro- uro- ² ) of orropȳ́gion, equivalent to orro-, combining form of órros sacral bone + pȳg ( ḗ ) rump, buttocks + -ion diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of uropygium¹

C19: via New Latin from Greek ouropugion, from uro- ² + pugē rump

Example Sentences

The uropygium also, which in the European bird is entirely white, is in our specimen partially variegated with black.

From Project Gutenberg

The tail length, however, is measured from the base of the uropygium to the tip of the longest pair of rectrices.

From Project Gutenberg

Uropygium: the ovipositor when it is a mere extension of the abdominal segments.

From Project Gutenberg

Seaside Sparrows have a mid-dorsal row of downs in the dorsal tract near the uropygium.

From Project Gutenberg

In some of the families the uropygium is recorded as small in suspiciously close to 25 per cent of the offspring.

From Project Gutenberg