Ilicura
ih-lih-KYOO-ruh
Genus
The one with a tail like the holm oak (i.e., stiff and spine-like)
Literally: holm-oak tail
| Part | Meaning | Language | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ilic- | the holm oak (Quercus ilex); its leaves are famously stiff and spine-tipped | Latin (ilic (= ilex)) | Oblique/genitive stem of ilex: ilex → ilic-. The tree is named for its holly-like spiny leaves. |
| -ura | the tail | Greek (ur, =a, -o) | Greek oura; used widely in zoological compound names as the terminal element -ura / -urus |
A single compound genus name, treated as a Latin feminine noun (nominative singular). It blends a Latin stem (ilic-, oblique stem of ilex) with a Greek tail-suffix (-ura, from oura). The name is a Latin–Greek hybrid (a common practice in 19th-century zoological nomenclature). The construction is adjectival in sense: 'having a tail like the holm oak', referring to the stiff, spike-like elongated central tail feathers of the male Pin-tailed Manakin (Ilicura militaris).
Pronunciation
- ih-lih-KYOO-ruh Penult stress: the penult vowel is u, and the rule states that most penults whose vowel is u are stressed. Stress therefore falls on the third syllable (-cu-). Final -a is the short 'uh' sound. The consonant c before u is hard (k), yielding KYOO.
Other readings
A minority reading would take ili- (Latin ilia, 'the flanks / loins') + cura (Latin, 'care'), but this gives 'care of the flanks', which has no ornithological parallel and is not supported by the biology. The ilic- + -ura segmentation is strongly preferred.
Ilicura militaris (Pinto, 1944) is the Pin-tailed Manakin, a Brazilian bird. The male has two wire-like elongated central rectrices; the name alludes to their resemblance to the stiff, pointed lobes of holm-oak leaves. The name is a classical hybrid (Latin root + Greek suffix). Such hybrids were frequent in 19th–20th century zoological nomenclature and are valid under the ICZN even if purists prefer unmixed etymologies. The dictionary confirms both roots: ilic (L, holm oak) and ur/=a (G, tail). No roots were sourced from general knowledge alone.