precocial
[ pri-koh-shuh l ]
/ prɪˈkoʊ ʃəl /
adjective Biology.
(of an animal species) active and able to move freely from birth or hatching and requiring little parental care (opposed to altricial).
Origin of precocial
First recorded in 1870–75;
precoci(ous) +
-al1
Words nearby precocial
Example sentences from the Web for precocial
They were exceedingly active, a good example of precocial young.
Life Histories of North American Shore Birds, Part 1 (of 2) |Arthur Cleveland Bent
British Dictionary definitions for precocial
precocial
/ (prɪˈkəʊʃəl) /
adjective
(of the young of some species of birds after hatching) covered with down, having open eyes, and capable of leaving the nest within a few days of hatching
noun
a precocial bird
Compare
altricial
Word Origin for precocial
C19: see
precocious
Scientific definitions for precocial
precocial
[ prĭ-kō′shəl ]
Born or hatched in a condition requiring relatively little parental care, as by having hair or feathers, open eyes, and the ability to move about. Water birds, reptiles, and herd animals usually have precocial young. Compare altricial.