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prettygoodwordaltricial (al-TRISH-uhl) - adj., helpless at birth or hatching and so requiring parental care.
Like many passerine birds, and other nidicolous animals. In contrast to precocial and nidifugous species that leave the nest or birthing area soon after arrival. Adopted around 1870 from Late Latin altriciālis, from Altrices, the division of birds that do this, from Latin altrīx, a (wet-)nurse, from alere, to nourish.
---L.
Like many passerine birds, and other nidicolous animals. In contrast to precocial and nidifugous species that leave the nest or birthing area soon after arrival. Adopted around 1870 from Late Latin altriciālis, from Altrices, the division of birds that do this, from Latin altrīx, a (wet-)nurse, from alere, to nourish.
---L.
