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.

Origin of cassowary

1
1605–15; by uncertain mediation <Central Moluccan kasuwari, kasuwali

Words Nearby cassowary

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cassowary in a sentence

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

    Birds in Flight | W. P. Pycraft

British Dictionary definitions for cassowary

cassowary

/ (ˈkæsəˌwɛərɪ) /


nounplural -waries
  1. 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

Origin of cassowary

1
C17: from Malay kěsuari

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