ratite

American  

[rat-ahyt] / ˈræt aɪt /

adjective

1. having a flat, unkeeled sternum, as an ostrich, cassowary, emu, or moa.

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noun

1. a bird having a ratite breastbone.

ratite British  

/ ˈrætaɪt /

adjective

1. (of flightless birds) having a breastbone that lacks a keel for the attachment of flight muscles

2. of or denoting the flightless birds, formerly classified as a group (the Ratitae ), that have a flat breastbone, feathers lacking vanes, and reduced wings

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noun

1. a bird, such as an ostrich, kiwi, or rhea, that belongs to this group; a flightless bird

Etymology

Origin of ratite

1875–80; < Latin rat ( is ) raft + -ite ²

Example Sentences

It is a poorly explored area of avian anatomy, but speculation about the ratite penis dates back to at least 1836, when a German study suggested that it relied on blood for erection.

From Scientific American • Dec. 8, 2011

When they could, they killed game like cassowary or ratite bird, but meat was a rarity.

From Time Magazine Archive