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Definition of empidonax

empidonax

/ˌɛmpɪˈdoʊnæks/
em · pi · do · nax
Plural:empidonaxes
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empidonax Lexical Profile

• noun

1

North American Any of numerous small tyrant flycatchers belonging to the genus Empidonax, native to the Americas and characterized by their drab olive or gray plumage, insectivorous diet, and visually indistinct appearance that makes them challenging to identify without hearing their vocalizations.

Example

"Unable to discern its specific wing bars or eye ring in the dense foliage, the birdwatcher logged the sighting broadly as an empidonax."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for empidonax

Word Nuance & Usage

In ornithology and birding, species within the Empidonax genus are notoriously difficult to distinguish by sight alone, leading observers to often refer to an unidentified individual simply as an 'empidonax' or 'empid'.

• Rhymes for empidonax

• Nearby Words

emphatic
emphatically
emphysema
empidonax
empire
empirical
empirically

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from Modern Latin (coined by German ornithologist Jean Cabanis in 1855), combining Ancient Greek 'empis' (gnat, mosquito) and 'anax' (lord, master), referring to the bird's insectivorous diet and aerial hunting prowess.

Cite this Entry

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