Otidiphaps
oh-TID-ih-faps
Genus
A pigeon that resembles a bustard
Literally: bustard-pigeon
| Part | Meaning | Language | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| otid- | an ear; a bustard | Greek (otid, -o) | Oblique/genitive stem of ōtís, ōtídos; the zoological sense 'bustard' is intended here, bustards bearing ear-like crests from which the same root also glosses 'ear' |
| -i- | connecting vowel | Greek connecting vowel joining the two stems | |
| phaps | a dove, pigeon | Greek (=phaps) | Head noun; the = notation marks it as usable in final or standalone position; grammatically feminine, giving the genus its gender |
A pure Greek compound of modifier + head noun: otid(o)- (bustard) + connecting vowel -i- + phaps (pigeon). The genus name is a feminine noun in apposition, naming a pigeon that looks and behaves like a bustard. No Latin–Greek hybrid issue arises.
Pronunciation
- oh-TID-ih-faps Penult Rule 5: the penult vowel (i) is short but followed by two consonants (-ph-s), so the penult is stressed
Other readings
oti- could theoretically be read as ot- (ear) + connecting vowel -i-, giving 'ear-pigeon', but the form otid- with its full oblique stem makes the bustard reading far more likely and is supported by the bird's morphology.
The dictionary entry for otid, -o gives both 'an ear' and 'a bustard'; in the context of this bird genus the bustard sense is clearly intended. phaps is listed in the dictionary with the = notation, indicating it functions as a terminal or standalone form. Otidiphaps nobilis (the Pheasant Pigeon) is the sole species in this monotypic genus, native to New Guinea.