cassowary

[ kas-uh-wer-ee ]
/ ˈkæs əˌwɛr i /

noun, plural cas·so·war·ies.

any of several large flightless, ratite birds of the genus Casuarius, of Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands, characterized by a bony casque on the front of the head.

Origin of cassowary

1605–15; by uncertain mediation < Central Moluccan kasuwari, kasuwali

Words nearby cassowary

cassock, cassolette, casson, cassone, cassoulet, cassowary, casspir, cast, cast about, cast adrift, cast away

Example sentences from the Web for cassowary

British Dictionary definitions for cassowary

cassowary
/ (ˈkæsəˌwɛərɪ) /

noun plural -waries

any large flightless bird of the genus Casuarius, inhabiting forests in NE Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands, having a horny head crest, black plumage, and brightly coloured neck and wattles: order Casuariiformes See also ratite

Word Origin for cassowary

C17: from Malay kěsuari