Dictionary entry

Desmognathous

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Des‐mog″na‐thous (?), a. [Gr. δεσμόσ bond + γνάθοσ jaw.] (Zoöl.) Having the maxillo-palatine bones united; — applied to a group of carinate birds (Desmognathæ), including various wading and swimming birds, as the ducks and herons, and also raptorial and other kinds.