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Glite Dictionary
Dinornithidae

Dinornithidae

9.9
A group of very large extinct flightless birds from New Zealand called moas
  • noun
  • /ˌdaɪnɔrˈnɪθɪdeɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : dinornitidos
  • The Dinornithidae family includes several extinct species of large, flightless birds native to New Zealand.

Examples

  • The Dinornithidae family includes several species of large, flightless birds.

  • The extinction of Dinornithidae was largely caused by human activities.

  • Researchers have uncovered fossilized remains of Dinornithidae in various parts of the country.

  • The Dinornithidae thrived in New Zealand until their extinction several centuries ago.

  • Did you know that the Dinornithidae were native to New Zealand?

  • Researchers have uncovered fossilized remains of Dinornithidae in various parts of New Zealand.

  • The Dinornithidae thrived in New Zealand until they became extinct several centuries ago.

Synonyms

moa
vsDinornithidae
  • New Zealand
1 9.9

A very large bird from New Zealand that cannot fly and is now extinct

is the taxonomic family rather than an individual bird

Surface Forms

Dinornithidae singular
Dinornithida singular

Morphology

Dinornithidae = dino + ornith + idae

The components are derived from Greek and Latin roots, which are not immediately recognizable to English learners without specialized knowledge.

Etymology

Dinornithidae comes from Greek parts: deinos meaning 'terrible', ornis meaning 'bird', and the ending -idae that shows a family. So the name means 'terrible birds', which fits these large, extinct New Zealand birds known as moas.