altricial

Valid in Scrabble

Pronunciation

/ælˈtɹɪʃəl/

Definition of altricial

2 senses · 2 parts of speech · etymology included

adj

Helpless at birth (of young animals); or having young which are helpless at birth.

“Altricial young are typical among carnivores, which might be expected to be hampered in their hunting behaviour if the pregnant mother has to carry its young for a long period.”
“First, humans are altricial, with immature newborns and a long childhood.”
“First, compared to other species, babies are altricial, meaning that they are weak, undermuscled, fat, and uncoordinated (sorry, babies, but it's true).”

See all 2 definitions

adj

Helpless at birth (of young animals); or having young which are helpless at birth.

“Altricial young are typical among carnivores, which might be expected to be hampered in their hunting behaviour if the pregnant mother has to carry its young for a long period.”
“First, humans are altricial, with immature newborns and a long childhood.”
“First, compared to other species, babies are altricial, meaning that they are weak, undermuscled, fat, and uncoordinated (sorry, babies, but it's true).”

noun

Definitions from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.

From New Latin Altrices (a former division of birds), plural of altrīx, the feminine of altor (“nourisher”), from alere (“to nourish”).

102 playable · top: IATRICAL (10 pts)

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