rectrix

[ rek-triks ]

noun,plural rec·tri·ces [rek-trahy-seez, rek-truh-seez]. /rɛkˈtraɪ siz, ˈrɛk trəˌsiz/. Ornithology.
  1. one of the tail feathers of a bird controlling direction during flight.

Origin of rectrix

1
1605–15; <Latin rēctrīx, feminine of rēctorrector

Other words from rectrix

  • rec·tri·cial [rek-trish-uhl], /rɛkˈtrɪʃ əl/, adjective

Words Nearby rectrix

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British Dictionary definitions for rectrix

rectrix

/ (ˈrɛktrɪks) /


nounplural rectrices (ˈrɛktrɪˌsiːz, rɛkˈtraɪsiːz)
  1. any of the large stiff feathers of a bird's tail, used in controlling the direction of flight

Origin of rectrix

1
C17: from Late Latin, feminine of rector governor, rector

Derived forms of rectrix

  • rectricial (rɛkˈtrɪʃəl), adjective

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