crissum

American  

[kris-uhm] / ˈkrɪs əm /

noun

Ornithology.

PLURAL

crissa

1. the region surrounding the cloacal opening beneath the tail of a bird.

2. the feathers of this region collectively.

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crissum British  

/ ˈkrɪsəm /

noun

1. the area or feathers surrounding the cloaca of a bird

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Other Word Forms

• crissal adjective

Etymology

Origin of crissum

1870–75; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin criss ( āre ) to move the haunches + -um noun suffix

Example Sentences

The researchers found that after seven days, there was no presence of the virus in the pharynx, crissum and lungs of the monkeys in the group with the highest dosage.

From Fox News

Description.—Above black; rump and lesser wing-coverts bright rufous; large loral spot on each side white; wings and tail black; alar speculum white; beneath, throat white, band across the breast black; belly pale rufous; flanks and crissum dark rufous; under wing-coverts white; bill and feet black: whole length 5·0 inches, wing 2·4, tail 2·2.

From Project Gutenberg

Description.—Ashy grey; back rusty red; wing-coverts blackish; chin, lower belly, and crissum whitish: whole length 6·5 inches, wing 3·7, tail 2·6.

From Project Gutenberg

Description.—Above sandy cinereous, whitish round the eyes; wings and tail blackish with whitish edgings; below much paler, throat whitish with slight black striations; belly and crissum tinged with ochraceous; under wing-coverts and flanks pale ochraceous; bill horn-colour; feet black; two outer primaries acuminated: whole length 7·0 inches, wing 4·0, tail 2·9.

From Project Gutenberg

Description.—Above clear cinereous; lores and short superciliaries whitish; well-defined nape-patch bright rufous; wings brownish; upper tail-coverts and tail black, outer margin of outer rectrix white: below clear cinereous white, brighter on lower belly, crissum, and under wing-coverts; bill and feet black: whole length 6·5 inches, wing 4·0, tail 2·8.

From Project Gutenberg