Uropsalis
yoo-ROP-suh-lis
Genus
the scissors-tailed bird
Literally: tail-scissors
| Part | Meaning | Language | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| uro- | the tail | Greek (ur, =a, -o) | combining form uro- |
| -psalis | scissors | Greek (psal, -i, -id, -o) | Greek ψαλίς, -ίδος; nominative singular used as terminal element |
A pure Greek compound: the combining form uro- (tail) is joined directly to the noun psalis (scissors), forming a single feminine noun used as a genus name. The name alludes to the extremely long, deeply forked, scissor-like outer tail feathers of these nightjars.
Pronunciation
- yoo-ROP-suh-lis Antepenult stressed: penult vowel (a) is short and followed by only one consonant (l), so the penult is light and stress recedes to the antepenult.
Uropsalis is a genus of nightjars (family Caprimulgidae) named for their scissor-like tail feathers, most dramatically seen in Uropsalis lyra (Lyre-tailed Nightjar). Both roots confirmed in dictionary: ur/uro (Greek, tail) and psal/psalis (Greek, scissors).