emu

Definition

A large flightless bird native to Australia, Dromaius novaehollandiae.

Etymology

Probably from Portuguese ema (“(originally) cassowary; giant rhea; (now) ostrich”).

Example Sentences

• "[page 59] The Emu, though not ſo as large as the oſtrich, is only ſecond to it in magnitude. It is by much the largeſt bird in the New Continent; and is generally found to be ſix feet high, meaſuring from its head to the ground. […] [page 60] [T]he emu runs with ſuch a ſwiftneſs, that the fleeteſt dogs are thrown out in the purſuit."
• "From New Holland the emeu, / With his better moiety, / Has paid a visit to the Zo- / ological Society."
• "I left my young emeus […] just parted from their affectionate father, and not yet fully reconciled to beginning the world on their own account."