Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Cassowary

Cas′so-wa-ry

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Cassowaries
(#)
.
[Malay
kasuāri
.]
(Zool.)
A large bird, of the genus
Casuarius
, found in the east Indies. It is smaller and stouter than the ostrich. Its head is armed with a kind of helmet of horny substance, consisting of plates overlapping each other, and it has a group of long sharp spines on each wing which are used as defensive organs. It is a shy bird, and runs with great rapidity. Other species inhabit New Guinea, Australia, etc.

Webster 1828 Edition

Cassowary

CASSOWARY

,
Noun.
A large fowl of the genus Struthio, nearly as large as the ostrich, but its legs are thicker and stronger in proportion. The wings are so small as not to appear, being hid under the feathers. The head is armed with a helmet of horny substance, consisting of plates one over another. It runs with great rapidity, outstripping the swiftest racer. It is now arranged in a separate genus, Casuarius.

Similar Results