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Aepyornis

[ee-pee-awr-nis]
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noun
  1. an extinct genus of ratite birds, best known from the Pleistocene Epoch of Madagascar, having massive legs and rudimentary wings, and growing to a height of 8 feet (2.4 meters).
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Origin of Aepyornis

< New Latin (1850) < Greek aipý(s) steep, lofty, + órnīs bird
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for aepyornis

Historical Examples

  • Birds of medium size, not having the heavy and massive build of Aepyornis.

    Extinct Birds

    Walter Rothschild

  • Lastly must be noted the extinct tall Ratite species of Aepyornis with its several fancy genera.

British Dictionary definitions for aepyornis

aepyornis

noun
  1. any of the large extinct flightless birds of the genus Aepyornis, remains of which have been found in Madagascar
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Word Origin

C19: New Latin, from Greek aipus high + ornis bird
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012