ralline

American  

[ral-ahyn, -in] / ˈræl aɪn, -ɪn /

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the family Rallidae, comprising the rails and allied species.

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ralline British  

/ -ɪn, ˈrælaɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Rallidae , a family of birds that includes the rails, crakes, and coots

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Etymology

Origin of ralline

1880–85; < New Latin Rall ( us ) name of genus ( see rail ³) + -ine ¹

Example Sentences

Of rails, or ralline birds, there are ten or twelve, ranging from a small spotted creature no bigger than a thrush to some large majestic birds.

From The Naturalist in La Plata by Hudson, W. H. (William Henry)

Where they pass the winter—in what Mentone or Madeira of the ralline race—is not known.

From Birds in Town and Village by Hudson, W. H. (William Henry)

Notornis, nō-tor′nis, n. a genus of gigantic ralline birds, with wings so much reduced as to be incapable of flight, which have within historical times become extinct in New Zealand, &c.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various