Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
giant moa

giant moa

9.9
A very large bird from New Zealand that cannot fly and is now extinct
  • noun
  • New Zealand
translation icon : moa gigante
  • Fossils of the giant moa have been found throughout the South Island of New Zealand.

Examples

  • The giant moa stood taller than any other known bird species.

  • The giant moa was a remarkable bird.

  • Early Māori settlers likely encountered the giant moa before its extinction.

  • Did the giant moa really exist?

  • The giant moa was a massive bird that roamed New Zealand before becoming extinct.

  • Scientists believe that the giant moa weighed over 500 pounds and could grow up to 12 feet tall.

  • Fossils of the giant moa have provided valuable insights into the ecosystem of ancient New Zealand.

Synonyms

Dinornis giganteus
vsgiant moa
  • Specialized
9.9

A very large extinct bird from New Zealand that stood about 12 feet tall

is the scientific name used by scientists rather than the common name

Surface Forms

giant moa singular
giant moas plural

Morphology

giant + moa

The meaning is directly compositional: 'giant' simply modifies 'moa' to indicate an unusually large moa. A B1 learner who knows 'giant' (very large) and 'moa' (an extinct flightless bird) can readily infer this refers to a very large extinct bird; adjective + noun modification is a common, transparent pattern cross-linguistically.

Etymology

Giant moa is a name made from the Māori word moa for a bird that cannot fly and the English word giant to show its very large size. Imagine a bird up to 12 feet tall and taller than a person. That clear image helps explain why the name refers to the very large, now 'extinct' bird from New Zealand.