Word Meanings - RATITAE - Book Publishers vocabulary database

An order of birds in which the wings are small, rudimentary, or absent, and the breastbone is destitute of a keel. The ostrich, emu, and apteryx are examples.

Related words: (words related to RATITAE)

• APTERYX
  A genus of New Zealand birds about the size of a hen, with only short rudiments of wings, armed with a claw and without a tail; the kiwi. It is allied to the gigantic extinct moas of the same country. Five species are known.
• SMALLISH
  Somewhat small. G. W. Cable.
• ABSENTATION
  The act of absenting one's self. Sir W. Hamilton.
• WHICHEVER; WHICHSOEVER
  Whether one or another; whether one or the other; which; that one which; as, whichever road you take, it will lead you to town.
• ABSENTEEISM
  The state or practice of an absentee; esp. the practice of absenting one's self from the country or district where one's estate is situated.
• RUDIMENTARY
  Very imperfectly developed; in an early stage of development; embryonic. (more info) 1. Of or pertaining to rudiments; consisting in first principles; elementary; initial; as, rudimental essays.
• ABSENTEE
  One who absents himself from his country, office, post, or duty; especially, a landholder who lives in another country or district than that where his estate is situated; as, an Irish absentee. Macaulay.
• ABSENTANEOUS
  Pertaining to absence.
• ORDERLY
  1. Conformed to order; in order; regular; as, an orderly course or plan. Milton. 2. Observant of order, authority, or rule; hence, obedient; quiet; peaceable; not unruly; as, orderly children; an orderly community. 3. Performed in good
• BREASTBONE
  The bone of the breast; the sternum.
• SMALLCLOTHES
  A man's garment for the hips and thighs; breeches. See Breeches.
• WHICH
  the root of hwa who + lic body; hence properly, of what sort or kind; akin to OS. hwilik which, OFries. hwelik, D. welk, G. welch, OHG. welih, hwelih, Icel. hvilikr, Dan. & Sw. hvilken, Goth. hwileiks, 1. Of what sort or kind; what; what a; who.
• EXAMPLESS
  Exampleless. B. Jonson.
• SMALLPOX
  A contagious, constitutional, febrile disease characterized by a peculiar eruption; variola. The cutaneous eruption is at first a collection of papules which become vesicles (first flat, subsequently umbilicated) and then pustules, and finally thick
• DESTITUTENESS
  Destitution. Ash.
• DESTITUTE
  1. Forsaken; not having in possession (something necessary, or desirable); deficient; lacking; devoid; -- often followed by of. In thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute. Ps. cxli. 8. Totally destitute of all shadow of influence. Burke.
• ABSENTER
  One who absents one's self.
• ABSENT-MINDED
  Absent in mind; abstracted; preoccupied. -- Ab`sent-mind"ed*ness, n. -- Ab`sent-mind"ed*ly, adv.
• OSTRICH
  A large bird of the genus Struthio, of which Struthio camelus of Africa is the best known species. It has long and very strong legs, adapted for rapid running; only two toes; a long neck, nearly bare of feathers; and short wings incapable of flight.
• SMALLAGE
  A biennial umbelliferous plant native of the seacoats of Europe and Asia. When deprived of its acrid and even poisonous properties by cultivation, it becomes celery.
• IMBORDER
  To furnish or inclose with a border; to form a border of. Milton.
• DISMALLY
  In a dismal manner; gloomily; sorrowfully; uncomfortably.
• MISORDER
  To order ill; to manage erroneously; to conduct badly. Shak.
• ACCORDER
  One who accords, assents, or concedes.
• DISORDER
  1. Want of order or regular disposition; lack of arrangement; confusion; disarray; as, the troops were thrown into disorder; the papers are in disorder. 2. Neglect of order or system; irregularity. From vulgar bounds with brave disorder part, And
• RATTLEWINGS
  The golden-eye.