Altricial
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ælˈtɹɪʃəl/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Altricial is an adjective meaning (ornithology) Helpless at birth (of young animals); or having young which are helpless at birth.
Meaning
(ornithology) Helpless at birth (of young animals); or having young which are helpless at birth.
More Meanings
- Such an animal.
Example Sentences
First, humans are altricial, with immature newborns and a long childhood.
First, compared to other species, babies are altricial, meaning that they are weak, undermuscled, fat, and uncoordinated (sorry, babies, but it's true).
Altricial young are typical among carnivores, which might be expected to be hampered in their hunting behaviour if the pregnant mother has to carry its young for a long period.
Word Forms
- altricials
Synonyms for altricial
Depending on context, synonyms include altricious, nidicolous.
Antonyms for altricial
Common opposites include precocial.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include nestlings, altrical, callow, whelpless, fledgeless, helpless.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.