pygostyle

[ pahy-guh-stahyl ]

noun

, Ornithology.

1. the bone at the posterior end of the spinal column in birds, formed by the fusion of several caudal vertebrae.

Other Words From

• pygo·styled adjective
• pygo·stylous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pygostyle¹

1870–75; < Greek pȳgo- (combining form representing pȳgḗ rump) + stŷlos pillar

Example Sentences

The posterior caudal vertebrae are not united together to form a pygostyle.

From Project Gutenberg

They all agree in having a short tail whose component vertebrae are commonly ankylosed together forming a pygostyle.

From Project Gutenberg

The tail is short and the posterior caudal vertebrae are generally ankylosed together forming a pygostyle.

From Project Gutenberg

The tail is comparatively long, and formed of twelve vertebrae with only slight indications of a pygostyle.

From Project Gutenberg

The last six or seven caudal vertebrae coalesce into the pygostyle, an upright blade which carries the rectrices.

From Project Gutenberg