didus ineptus

1 definition found

didus ineptus - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Dodo \Do"do\, n.; pl. Dodoes. [Said to be fr. Pg. doudo silly,
     foolish (cf. Booby); this is fr. Prov. E. dold, the same
     word as E. dolt.] (Zool.)
     A large, extinct bird (Didus ineptus), formerly inhabiting
     the Island of Mauritius. It had short, half-fledged wings,
     like those of the ostrich, and a short neck and legs; --
     called also dronte. It was related to the pigeons.
     [1913 Webster]