Meanings
plural hypoptila
- rarebiologyAn aftershaft.
This secondary feather is known as the aftershaft or hypoptilum, and its presence or absence constitutes the most important structural difference in the feathers of existing birds.
1924 October 30, W. DeW. Miller, “Variations in the structure of the aftershaft and their taxonomic value”, in American Museum Novitates, number 1401 more example
The feathers in some ratites are unusual as they are less reduced than is the norm in birds—each feather has, in addition to the main feather, a large “after-shaft” or hypoptilum.
2016, Michael Heads, Biogeography and Evolution in New Zealand
Synonyms & antonyms
Origin
- New Latinhypoptilum
- Englishhypoptilum
From New Latin hypoptilum, from hypo- + Ancient Greek πτίλον (ptílon, “soft feathers, down”).
More words from New Latin
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
hypoptilum. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hypoptilum
“hypoptilum.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hypoptilum. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “hypoptilum,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hypoptilum.
Source: hypoptilum on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.