rectrix

[ rek-triks ]

noun,plural rec·tri·ces

[rek-trahy-seez, rek-truh-seez]. /rɛkˈtraɪ siz, ˈrɛk trəˌsiz/. Ornithology.

one of the tail feathers of a bird controlling direction during flight.

Origin of rectrix

1605–15; <Latin rēctrīx, feminine of rēctorrector

Other words from rectrix

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

Words Nearby rectrix

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rectrix in a sentence

rectrix, rek′triks, n. one of the long tail-feathers of a bird, so called because used in steering the bird in its flight:—pl.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) | Various
The exterior rectrix is entirely black; the second has a clear brown stripe on the inside border.
Argentine Ornithology, Volume II (of 2) | P. L. Sclater
The outermost rectrix of No. 31633 is wholly white; the second rectrix is nearly as white.
Birds from Coahuila, Mexico | Emil K. Urban

British Dictionary definitions for rectrix

rectrix

/ (ˈrɛktrɪks) /

nounplural rectrices (ˈrɛktrɪˌsiːz, rɛkˈtraɪsiːz)

any of the large stiff feathers of a bird's tail, used in controlling the direction of flight

Origin of rectrix

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

Derived forms of rectrix

rectricial (rɛkˈtrɪʃəl), adjective

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