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Glite Dictionary
🛳️ Keel-shaped 🐦 Bird with keel
carinate

carinate

9.9
A bird with a breastbone ridge that supports flight muscles
  • noun
  • /ˈkɛrɪneɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : carinato
  • The majority of living birds are classified as carinates due to their keeled breastbones.

Examples

  • Unlike ratites, carinates possess a breastbone that supports powerful flight muscles.

  • The fossil record shows a clear distinction between carinates and flightless birds.

  • The carinate birds are known for their powerful flight.

  • Many carinates exhibit unique adaptations for soaring.

  • Scientists study how carinates evolved to develop strong flight muscles for better aerial performance.

  • Most birds, including eagles and sparrows, are considered carinates because they have keeled breastbones.

  • In the animal kingdom, carinates play a vital role in the ecosystem as they are adept at flying.

Synonyms

carinate bird
vscarinate
  • Specialized
6.9

A bird with a raised ridge on its breastbone that holds strong wing muscles

is the same in meaning but used as an adjective rather than a noun phrase

Antonyms

ratite
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A large bird that cannot fly, for example an ostrich or emu

Compounds

carinate bird
  • Specialized
6.9

A bird with a raised ridge on its breastbone that holds strong wing muscles

Surface Forms

carinate singular
carinates plural

Etymology

Carinate comes from the Latin carina, meaning 'keel', the same ridge on a boat. Birds called carinates have a keeled breastbone like that ridge to hold strong flight muscles, so the name points to birds built for flight.