Manorina
muh-NOH-ri-nuh
Genus
the wide-nostrilled one; referring to the large, open nostril structure characteristic of these honeyeaters
Literally: wide-nosed (or roomy-nosed)
| Part | Meaning | Language | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| mano- | wide, roomy; also rare, thin, sparse | Greek (man, -o / mano) | Greek manos (μανός); combining form mano-; two closely related dictionary entries cover this root |
| -rina | nose (rhin-o); also a file or rasp (rhin-a) | Greek (rhin, =a) | Greek rhina/rhinos; the initial rh is simplified to r when compounded, as frequently occurs in zoological nomenclature. The alternative genus spelling 'Manorhina' (sometimes used) preserves the rh and makes the etymology transparent. Here 'nose' is the biologically relevant sense, referring to the open, distinctive nostrils of these birds. |
Manorina is a compound Greek noun used as a feminine Latin genus name (treated as feminine, first declension in -a). It is a noun in apposition, not an adjective. The two Greek stems are joined directly: mano- (wide, roomy) + -rina (contracted from rhina, nose), yielding the sense 'wide-nosed' or 'open-nostrilled'. The genus contains the Australian honeyeaters commonly called miners (Meliphagidae). The alternative orthography Manorhina retains the etymological rh.
Pronunciation
- muh-NOH-ri-nuh Four syllables: Ma-no-ri-na. Penult 'ri' has a short vowel (i) followed by a single consonant (n), so stress moves to the antepenult 'no'. The antepenult vowel o is long by rule: o followed by a single consonant r, then two vowels i+a, the first being i. Stress therefore falls on the antepenult with a long o: muh-NOH-ri-nuh.
Other readings
mano- (roomy/thin) + -rina (file/rasp, rhina in the sense of a rasp-like beak surface) — biologically less likely than the 'nose' reading
A purely New Latin diminutive reading: man- (Latin, hand) + -or- + -ina (suffix) — forced and not supported by the zoological context
The spelling 'Manorina' suppresses the Greek rh, but the alternative form 'Manorhina' (used by some authorities) restores it and confirms the etymology mano- + rhina (nose). Both Greek dictionary entries for mano- (man,-o: 'wide, roomy' and mano: 'rare, thin, roomy') are present in the dictionary and are closely related forms of the same Greek root manos (μανός). Either sense could apply; 'wide' or 'open' best fits the nostril morphology of these honeyeaters. rhin,=a is in the dictionary primarily glossed as 'a shark; a file, rasp', while rhin,-o is glossed as 'a nose'. In the compound -rina the nasal/nostril reading (rhin,-o) is the biologically appropriate one; the final -a is the nominative singular ending of rhina, the noun form. Cannot verify name availability; check relevant registries (e.g. ZooBank, GBIF) for current nomenclatural status.