Hypoptilum
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Hypoptilum is a noun meaning (ornithology, rare) An aftershaft.
Meaning
(ornithology, rare) An aftershaft.
Example Sentences
The feathers in some ratites are unusual as they are less reduced than is the norm in birds—each feather has, in addition to the main feather, a large “after-shaft” or hypoptilum.
This secondary feather is known as the aftershaft or hypoptilum, and its presence or absence constitutes the most important structural difference in the feathers of existing birds.
Word Forms
- hypoptila
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include hypopteron, aftershaft, hyporachis, teleoptile, neoptile, thopter.
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.