An aviarist is a person who specializes in the care and breeding of birds, especially birds of prey. Aviarists are responsible for the health, wellbeing, and training of their birds, and they often work closely with conservation organizations to protect endangered species. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of aviarist, as well as its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and usage in example sentences.
Definitions
The term aviarist is derived from the Latin word avis, which means bird. An aviarist is a person who breeds and cares for birds, especially birds of prey. They are responsible for the health, wellbeing, and training of their birds, and they often work closely with conservation organizations to protect endangered species. Aviarists may work in zoos, wildlife parks, or rehabilitation centers, or they may operate their own private aviaries.
Origin
The term aviarist has its roots in the Latin word avis, which means bird. The first known use of the word aviarist was in the early 19th century, when it was used to describe a person who specialized in the care and breeding of birds. The term has since become more widely used to describe anyone who works with birds, especially birds of prey.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of aviarist is consistent across different dictionaries. The Oxford English Dictionary defines an aviarist as “a person who keeps or breeds birds, especially birds of prey.” Merriam-Webster defines an aviarist as “a person who specializes in the breeding and care of birds.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines an aviarist as “a person who keeps and breeds birds, especially birds of prey, for sport or for their beauty.”
Associations
Aviarists are often associated with conservation organizations, as they play a vital role in protecting endangered bird species. They may also be associated with zoos, wildlife parks, or rehabilitation centers, where they work to care for and breed birds. Aviarists may also be associated with falconry, a sport that involves hunting with birds of prey.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for aviarist, including bird breeder, bird fancier, and bird keeper. These terms all describe a person who works with birds, especially birds of prey, and is responsible for their care and breeding.
Antonyms
There are no true antonyms for aviarist, as the term describes a specific profession and there is no opposite profession that is directly opposed to it. However, one could argue that an antonym for aviarist might be someone who works with mammals, such as a zookeeper or wildlife rehabilitator.
The same root words
The root word of aviarist is avis, which means bird. Other words that have the same root include aviary, which is a large enclosure for birds, and avian, which refers to anything related to birds.
Example Sentences
- The aviarist was responsible for the care and training of the birds of prey at the wildlife park.
- The conservation organization hired an aviarist to breed and release endangered bird species back into the wild.
- The falconer worked closely with the aviarist to train his birds for hunting.
- The aviary was home to a wide variety of exotic birds, all cared for by the dedicated aviarist.
- The avian veterinarian worked closely with the aviarist to ensure the health and wellbeing of the birds in his care.