| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024rat•ite (rat′īt),USA pronunciation adj. - having a flat, unkeeled sternum, as an ostrich, cassowary, emu, or moa.
n. - a bird having a ratite breastbone.
- Latin rat(is) raft + -ite2
- 1875–80
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: ratite /ˈrætaɪt/ adj - (of flightless birds) having a breastbone that lacks a keel for the attachment of flight muscles
- of or denoting the flightless birds, formerly classified as a group (the Ratitae), that have a flat breastbone, feathers lacking vanes, and reduced wings
n - a bird, such as an ostrich, kiwi, or rhea, that belongs to this group; a flightless bird
Etymology: 19th Century: from Latin ratis raft |