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crissum

[kris-uhm]

noun

Ornithology.

plural

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

  2. the feathers of this region collectively.



crissum

/ ˈkrɪsəm /

noun

  1. the area or feathers surrounding the cloaca of a 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
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Other Word Forms

  • crissal adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of crissum1

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

Origin of crissum1

C19: from New Latin, from Latin crissāre to move the haunches
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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