[ee-pee-awr-nis] 
| an extinct genus of ratite birds, best known from the Pleistocene Epoch of Madagascar, having massive legs and rudimentary wings, and growing to a height of 8 ft. (2.4 m). |
| ae·py·or·nis (ē'pē-ôr'nĭs) n. A genus of extinct large flightless birds native to Madagascar. [New Latin Aepyornīs, genus name : Greek aipus, high + Greek ornīs, bird; see or- in Indo-European roots.] |