Rhea
/ˈriːə/noun
A genus of large South American flightless birds, or the Titaness in Greek mythology.
Did you know?Rhea is the name of a Titaness in Greek myth, but the bird genus was named much later by scientists borrowing that classical name, not from any ancient bird-root.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ῥέα (Rhéa)
“A Titaness in Greek mythology, mother of Zeus and other Olympians.”
18th Century
Latin
Rhea
“A modern scientific genus name coined for the South American rheas.”
Modern English
English
rhea
“A large flightless bird of South America.”
Modern English
English
Rhea
“A Titaness from Greek mythology, especially in classical references.”