rectrix
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rec·trix
(rĕk′trĭks)n. pl. rec·tri·ces (rĕk′trĭ-sēz′, rĕk-trī′sēz)
One of the stiff main feathers of a bird's tail, used to stabilize the bird while in flight and to control its direction.
[Latin rēctrīx, feminine of rēctor, director; see rector.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
rectrix
(ˈrɛktrɪks)n, pl rectrices (ˈrɛktrɪˌsiːz; rɛkˈtraɪsiːz)
(Zoology) any of the large stiff feathers of a bird's tail, used in controlling the direction of flight
[C17: from Late Latin, feminine of rector governor, rector]
rectricial adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
rec•trix
(ˈrɛk trɪks)n., pl. rec•tri•ces (rɛkˈtraɪ siz, ˈrɛk trəˌsiz)
one of the tail feathers of a bird controlling direction during flight.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.