precocial
Syllabification: (pre·co·cial)
Pronunciation: /priˈkōSHəl/
Zoology
Definition of precocial
adjective
- (of a young bird or other animal) hatched or born in an advanced state and able to feed itself almost immediately. Also called nidifugous.Often contrasted with altricial.
Origin:
late 19th century: from modern Latin Praecoces (the name of a former division of birds, plural of Latin praecox 'mature before its time') + -ial