| ratitae | <ornithology> An order of birds in which the wings are small, rudimentary, or absent, and the breastbone is destitute of a keel. The ostrich, emu, and apteryx are examples. Origin: NL, fr. L. Ratis a raft; cf. L. Ratitus marked with the figure of a raft. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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