carinate
/ˈkɛrɪneɪt/
adjective
- Having a keel-like ridge or projection; shaped like the bottom of a boat.
- The botanist noted the carinate leaves of the plant, which curved upward like a small keel.
- Some ancient shells have a carinate shape that makes them easy to identify.
- The carinate breastbone of a bird helps it fly by providing a strong anchor for flight muscles.
noun
- A bird with a keeled sternum (breastbone), which includes most modern flying birds.
- In biology class, we learned that carinates have strong flight muscles attached to their keel.
- The sparrow is a carinate, while the ostrich is not because it lacks a keeled breastbone.
- Most of the birds in your backyard are carinates, built for active flight.
Antonyms