cassowary

[ kas-uh-wer-ee ]

noun

, plural cas·so·war·ies.

1. 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.

cassowary

/ ˈkæsəˌwɛərɪ /

noun

1. See ratite
   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 History and Origins

Origin of cassowary¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cassowary¹

C17: from Malay kěsuari

Example Sentences

If you’ve ever wanted to try to live through a real-life Jurassic Park scenario, the closest you can get to meeting a prehistoric raptor is probably ticking off a cassowary.

From Popular-Science

It is true that the Tasmanians may have shot the bird to pieces and mended the skin with bits of cassowary hide here and there.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the police shot a large cassowary, and also a large wild pig and a wallaby, so there was plenty of food for all.

From Project Gutenberg

We also saw wallaby, and numerous tracks of cassowary and wild pig.

From Project Gutenberg

And I say, Muriel, I do hope there won't be any of those rotten cassowary seeds in it.

From Project Gutenberg

But with the cassowary, the emu, or the apteryx matters are very different.

From Project Gutenberg