crissum
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cris·sum
(krĭs′əm)n. pl. cris·sa (krĭs′ə)
The feathers or area under the tail of a bird surrounding the cloacal opening.
[New Latin, from Latin crīsāre, crissāre, to move the buttocks during intercourse; see sker- in Indo-European roots.]
cris′sal (-əl) adj.
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.
crissum
(ˈkrɪsəm)n, pl -sa (-sə)
(Zoology) the area or feathers surrounding the cloaca of a bird
[C19: from New Latin, from Latin crissāre to move the haunches]
ˈcrissal adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
cris•sum
(ˈkrɪs əm)n., pl. cris•sa (ˈkrɪs ə)
1. the region surrounding the cloacal opening beneath the tail of a bird.
2. the feathers of this region collectively.
[1870–75; < New Latin, derivative of Latin crissāre to move the haunches]
cris′sal, adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.