ornitho-

a combining form meaning “bird,” used in the formation of compound words:

ornithology.

Also, especially before a vowel, ornith-.

Origin

combining form representing Greek ornīth- (stem of órnīs) bird

British Dictionary definitions for ornitho-

ornitho-

combining form

bird or birds: ornithology, ornithomancy, ornithopter, ornithoscopy, ornithosis

Word Origin

from Greek ornis, ornith- bird

Word Origin and History for ornitho-

before vowels ornith-, word-forming element meaning "bird, birds," from comb. form of Greek ornis (genitive ornithos) "a bird" (in Attic generally "domestic fowl"), often added to the specific name of the type of bird, from PIE *or- "large bird" (see erne).