emu

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

emu, n. [Cf. Pg. ema ostrich, F. émou, émeu, emu.].

 A large Australian bird, of two species (Dromaius Novæ-Hollandiæ and D. irroratus), related to the cassowary and the ostrich. The emu runs swiftly, but is unable to fly.  [1913 Webster]
" The name is sometimes erroneously applied, by the Brazilians, to the rhea, or South American ostrich."  [1913 Webster]

Emu wren. See in the Vocabulary.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

emu, n. a large flightless bird, Dromaius novaehollandiae, native to Australia, and capable of running at high speed.

Etymology

earlier emia, eme f. Port. ema