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Definition of mesite

mesite

/ˈmɛsaɪt/
me · site
Plural:mesites
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mesite Lexical Profile

• noun

1

Any of three species of small, near-flightless, terrestrial birds comprising the family Mesitornithidae, which are entirely endemic to the forests and brushlands of Madagascar.

Example

"Birdwatchers traveling to Madagascar often hope to catch a glimpse of the rare and secretive brown mesite foraging on the forest floor."

• Rhymes for mesite

• Nearby Words

mesh
meshwork
meshy
mesite
mesmeric
mesmerism
mesmerize

Word Origin & Etymology

From the Modern Latin genus name 'Mesites' (coined in 1838 by Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire), derived from Ancient Greek 'mesitēs' (mediator, middleman), likely chosen to reflect their perceived intermediate taxonomic position between pigeons and gallinaceous birds.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

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