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Definition of apteryx

apteryx

/ˈæp.tər.ɪks/
ap · ter · yx
Plural:apteryxes
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apteryx Lexical Profile

apteryx Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of several flightless, nocturnal birds of the genus Apteryx, endemic to New Zealand, characterized by a stout body, hair-like feathers, vestigial wings, and a long, slender bill.

Example

"The zoologist carefully observed the apteryx foraging for grubs in the dense native underbrush of the sanctuary."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for apteryx

Word Nuance & Usage

The term 'apteryx' is primarily used in scientific, taxonomic, or highly formal contexts; in everyday English, this flightless bird is almost exclusively referred to as the 'kiwi'.

• Rhymes for apteryx

• Nearby Words

apsley
apsley falls
apt
apteryx
aptitude
aptly
aptness

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 19th century from Modern Latin, derived from the Greek 'a-' (without) and 'pterux' (wing), referring to the bird's flightless nature and lack of visible wings.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Apteryx. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/apteryx
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