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Definition of orthonyx

orthonyx

/ɔːrˈθɑːn.ɪks/
or · tho · nyx
Plural:orthonyxes
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orthonyx Lexical Profile

• noun

1

Any of the small, ground-dwelling passerine birds comprising the genus Orthonyx, native to the rainforests of eastern Australia and New Guinea, characterized by a stiff, spine-tipped tail that they use to prop themselves up while foraging on the forest floor.

Example

"The researcher patiently observed an orthonyx as it used its stiff tail feathers for leverage to aggressively scratch through the leaf litter in search of insects."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for orthonyx

• Rhymes for orthonyx

• Nearby Words

orthodox
orthodoxy
orthomyxovirus
orthonyx
orthopedic
orthopedically
orthopedics

Word Origin & Etymology

From New Latin Orthonyx, derived from Greek 'orthos' (straight) and 'onyx' (claw or nail), referencing the unusually straight shape of the bird's hind claws.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

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