Aepyornis

[ee-pee-awr-nis]

noun

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).

Origin of Aepyornis

< New Latin (1850) < Greek aipý(s) steep, lofty, + órnīs bird

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Examples from the Web for aepyornis

Historical Examples of aepyornis

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.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 7
Various

British Dictionary definitions for aepyornis

aepyornis

noun

any of the large extinct flightless birds of the genus Aepyornis, remains of which have been found in Madagascar

Word Origin for aepyornis

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