Nicator

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A genus of birds characterized by stout bodies and hooked bills typically found in forests of Africa
2. Refers to a group of avian species known for their robust form and predatory beak, inhabiting woodland regions mainly in sub-Saharan areas
3. Denotes a classification of forest-dwelling birds distinguished by strong builds and curved bills used for catching prey in African habitats

Etymology: "Nicator" names a genus of African songbirds, the nicators, which are closely related to bulbuls and are known for their loud, whistling calls. The genus name was created by taxonomists as a scientific label, so the word belongs to the Latin-based naming system used for animals and plants rather than to everyday English. The source for this entry gives only that the word comes from the genus name, so the word's story is that of a technical coinage: a name chosen to pick out one group of birds in the classification of living things. Because it was made as a label, it has no older meaning in ordinary use to trace, and its sense has stayed fixed since it was introduced as a genus name.

Synonyms: Nicator bird, bulbul