uropygial
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of uropygial
First recorded in 1865–70; uropygi(um) + -al 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Among the substances produced by birds are the secretions of the uropygial gland, which may be pigmented orange, red or yellow.
From US News
The uropygial or preen gland is found in the majority of birds and is situated near the base of the tail.
From US News
They also found evidence that the birds transferred carotenoids from their uropygial gland to their feathers by rubbing their head on their neck, breast and back feathers.
From US News
They then looked for the pigments that may tinge the plumage both in the secretions of the uropygial gland and on the surface of feathers.
From US News
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
