(of a bird) having a flat breastbone without a keel, and so unable to fly.Contrasted with carinate.
noun
any of the mostly large, flightless birds with a ratite breastbone, i.e. the ostrich, rhea, emu, cassowary, and kiwi, together with the extinct moa and elephant bird.
Origin:
late 19th century: from Latin ratis 'raft' + -ite1
