Trogonine
/ˈtrɒɡənɪn/noun
Relating to the trogons, a family of brightly colored tropical birds.
Did you know?The genus name Trogon was inspired by the birds’ habit of nibbling fruit, not by their brilliant plumage or supposedly magical colors.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*tregʰ-
“To gnaw, consume, or nibble; the reconstructed root behind the Greek verb.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τρώγω (trṓgō)
“I gnaw, nibble, or eat.”
18th Century
Modern Latin
Trogon
“A zoological genus name formed from Greek trṓgō, referring to the bird’s fruit-nibbling behavior.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Trogonidae
“The taxonomic family containing the trogons.”
19th Century
Scientific English
trogonine
“Relating to the genus or family Trogonidae.”
Modern English
English
trogonine
“A zoological adjective or noun associated with trogons.”
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