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Definition of cassowary

cassowary

/ˈkæs.əˌwɛr.i/
cas · so · wa · ry
Plural:cassowaries
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cassowary Lexical Profile

cassowary Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large, flightless bird of the genus Casuarius, native to the tropical forests of New Guinea, northeastern Australia, and nearby islands, distinguished by its vibrant blue neck, bony head casque, and dangerous, dagger-like claws.

Example

"The researchers maintained a safe distance while observing the cassowary in the rainforest, well aware that a single defensive kick from its powerful legs could be fatal."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cassowary

• Nearby Words

cassia
cassock
cassoulet
cassowary
cast
castanet
castanets

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from Malay 'kasuari', which likely originated from a Papuan language, possibly combining 'kasu' (horned) and 'weri' (head), in reference to the bird's prominent casque.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cassowary. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cassowary
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