ratite
[ rat-ahyt ]
/ ˈræt aɪt /
adjective
having a flat, unkeeled sternum, as an ostrich, cassowary, emu, or moa.
noun
a bird having a ratite breastbone.
Origin of ratite
1875–80; < Latin
rat(is) raft +
-ite2
Words nearby ratite
rationality,
rationalize,
rationing,
rations,
ratisbon,
ratite,
ratline,
rato,
ratoon,
ratpack,
rats
Example sentences from the Web for ratite
Like other Ratite birds it will take to the water, and examples have been seen voluntarily swimming a wide river.
The arrangement bears a great resemblance to that of Ratite birds.
The Vertebrate Skeleton |Sidney H. ReynoldsLastly must be noted the extinct tall Ratite species of Aepyornis with its several fancy genera.
British Dictionary definitions for ratite
ratite
/ (ˈrætaɪt) /
adjective
(of flightless birds) having a breastbone that lacks a keel for the attachment of flight muscles
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
a bird, such as an ostrich, kiwi, or rhea, that belongs to this group; a flightless bird
Word Origin for ratite
C19: from Latin
ratis raft