anatiferous

English

Etymology

Latin anas, anat- (“duck”) + -i- +‎ -ferous

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ænəˈtɪfəɹəs/
• Rhymes: -ɪfəɹəs

Adjective

anatiferous (not comparable)

1. (obsolete) Producing ducks. Formerly used of barnacles, since it was believed that they produced ducks and geese.
   • 1646, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, Thomas Browne, Book III:

     [I]f there be anatiferous trees, whoſe corruption breaks forth into Bernacles, yet if they corrupt, they degenerate into maggots, which not produce them again.