dromæognathism

English

Etymology

dromæognath(ous) + -ism

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: drŏ'mē.ŏgʹnəthĭzm, IPA^(key): /ˌdɹɒmiːˈɒɡnəθɪzm/

Noun

dromæognathism (uncountable)

1. (ornithology) The particular arrangement in palatal structure typified by the emu and the other (now extinct) species of the genus Dromaius.
   • 1890, Elliott Coues, Handbook of Field and General Ornithology: A Manual of the Structure and Classification of Birds, Macmillan, page 249:

     Dromæognathism (Gr. δρομαῖος, dromaios, a runner : genus-name of the emeu). All the Ratite birds, and the tinamous of Carinate birds, are dromæognathous.

Related terms

• dromæosaur(id) (palæontology)