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prettygoodwordpatagium (puh-TAY-jee-uhm) - n., the web of skin between the neck, forelimb, and hindlimb of certain mammals, used as a wing or gliding surface.
The technical term for the wings of a bat or the aerodynamic surface of a flying squirrel. And, for that matter, the flying skin of a pterosaur. There's also an equivalent flap of skin on the front edge of bird wings, which is also called this. Borrowed in 1826 from Latin patagīum, the gilded edging on a woman's tunic, from Greek patageion, possibly from a verb meaning to clatter -- apparently gilding wasn't subtle at first?
---L.
The technical term for the wings of a bat or the aerodynamic surface of a flying squirrel. And, for that matter, the flying skin of a pterosaur. There's also an equivalent flap of skin on the front edge of bird wings, which is also called this. Borrowed in 1826 from Latin patagīum, the gilded edging on a woman's tunic, from Greek patageion, possibly from a verb meaning to clatter -- apparently gilding wasn't subtle at first?
---L.
