uropygium

[ yoo r-uh-pij-ee-uh m ]
/ ˌyʊər əˈpɪdʒ i əm /

noun Ornithology.

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

Origin of uropygium

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

Example sentences from the Web for uropygium

British Dictionary definitions for uropygium

uropygium
/ (ˌjʊərəˈpɪdʒɪəm) /

noun

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

Derived forms of uropygium

uropygial, adjective

Word Origin for uropygium

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