Nidicolous
/naɪˈdɪk.ə.ləs/noun
Describing birds or other animals that remain in the nest after hatching or birth and are dependent on parental care.
Did you know?It comes from Latin *nidus* (“nest”) plus *-colous* from *colere* (“to inhabit, dwell in”), the same deep root behind words tied to cultivation, settlement, and even “colonize.”
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
nidus
“nest”
Latin
Latin
colere
“to inhabit, dwell in, cultivate, tend”
Late Latin
Latin
nidicola
“nest-dweller”
19th Century
English
nidicolous
“living in or belonging to the nest; remaining in the nest after hatching”
Modern English
English
nidicolous
“describing young animals that stay in the nest and depend on parents for care”
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