emeu

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large flightless bird: "emeu" (also spelled "emu") refers to the second-largest living bird by height, native to Australia, belonging to the genus Dromaius. It is a ratite, known for its long neck and legs, and is unable to fly.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The emeu roamed freely across the Australian outback. (The large flightless bird was moving without restraint in its natural habitat.)
  • Farmers sometimes raise emeus for their meat, oil, and leather. (People breed this bird commercially for various products.)

Advanced Usage

• "emeu" as a variant spelling: While "emu" is the standard modern spelling, "emeu" is an older or alternative form, sometimes used in historical or literary contexts.
  • In early colonial accounts, the bird was often referred to as the emeu. (Historical documents used this spelling.)

Variants and Related Words

• Emu (n): the more common spelling of the same bird.
  • The emu is a symbol of Australia's unique wildlife. (The bird is an icon of the country's fauna.)
• Ratite (n): a group of flightless birds that includes emus, ostriches, and kiwis.
  • The emeu belongs to the ratite family. (It shares characteristics with other large, flightless birds.)

Synonyms

• Cassowary: a similar large flightless bird also native to Australia and New Guinea (though not identical).
• Ratite: a broader term for flightless birds with a flat breastbone.

Related Idioms

• "To have an emu in the garden": an informal Australian expression meaning to have an unexpected or unusual problem (rare).
  • We had an emeu in the garden today — it was quite a surprise. (An unexpected large bird appeared.)

Note on Spelling

The word "emeu" is now considered archaic or a variant; "emu" is the standard spelling in modern English dictionaries (including WordNet).