crissum

[ kris-uhm ]

noun,plural cris·sa [kris-uh]. /ˈkrɪs ə/. Ornithology.
  1. the region surrounding the cloacal opening beneath the tail of a bird.

  2. the feathers of this region collectively.

Origin of crissum

1
1870–75; <New Latin, equivalent to Latin criss(āre) to move the haunches + -um noun suffix

Words Nearby crissum

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British Dictionary definitions for crissum

crissum

/ (ˈkrɪsəm) /


nounplural -sa (-sə)
  1. the area or feathers surrounding the cloaca of a bird

Origin of crissum

1
C19: from New Latin, from Latin crissāre to move the haunches

Derived forms of crissum

  • crissal, adjective

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