Defn: A genus of marine bivalves, having a pearly interior, allied to the pearl oyster; — so called from a supposed resemblance of the typical species to a bird.
AVICULAR
A*vic"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. avicula a small bird, dim. of avis bird.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a bird or to birds.
AVICULARIA
A*vic`u*la"ri*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Avicular.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: See prehensile processes on the cells of some Bryozoa, often having the shape of a bird's bill.
AVICULTURE
A"vi*cul`ture, n. Etym: [L. avis bird + cultura culture.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Rearing and care of birds.
AVID
Av"id, a. Etym: [L. avidus, fr. av to long: cf. F. avide. See
Avarice.]
Defn: Longing eagerly for; eager; greedy. "Avid of gold, yet greedier of renown." Southey.
AVIDIOUS
A*vid"i*ous, a.