ratite
/ˈrætaɪt/
noun
- A large, flightless bird with a flat breastbone, such as an ostrich, emu, or kiwi.
- The ostrich is the largest living ratite in the world.
- Many ratites, like the emu, are native to Australia.
- Scientists study ratites to understand how flightlessness evolved in birds.
adjective
- Relating to or characteristic of flightless birds with a flat breastbone.
- The zoo has a special exhibit on ratite birds.
- Ratite bones are different from those of flying birds.
- The ratite group includes several species that cannot fly.
Synonyms