Cuculiform

/kjuːˈkjʊlɪfɔːrm/ adjective

Definition

Having the form or structure of a cuckoo; hood-shaped or resembling a cowl, used both for birds and botanical structures.

Etymology

From Latin 'cuculus' (cuckoo, or more generally, hood) + '-form' (having the form of); describes things shaped like or resembling cuckoo-related structures.

Kelly Says

Scientists use '-form' to describe shapes—so 'cuculiform' literally means 'cuckoo-shaped' but is used more generally for hood or cowl-like shapes, showing how the same root word gets applied in multiple ways.

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