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African hunting dog

African hunting dog

5.3
A large wild dog from Africa that lives and hunts in packs
  • noun
  • /ˈæfrɪkən ˈhʌntɪŋ dɔg/
  • South African
translation icon : perro de caza africano
  • Researchers have observed African hunting dogs coordinating their hunts to catch larger prey.

Examples

  • The African hunting dog is known for its intricate social structure within the pack.

  • Many African hunting dogs live in packs for better hunting success.

  • Due to habitat loss, the population of the African hunting dog has declined significantly.

  • The African hunting dog is known for its unique hunting techniques.

  • Researchers have observed African hunting dogs coordinating their hunts to catch larger prey.

  • Due to habitat loss, the population of the African hunting dog has declined significantly.

  • Many African hunting dogs live in packs for better hunting success.

Synonyms

hyena dog
vsAfrican hunting dog
  • South African
7.5

A large African wild dog that lives and hunts in packs

is the more descriptive common name rather than an alternative label
Lycaon pictus
vsAfrican hunting dog
  • South African
9.9

A large wild dog from Africa with a mottled coat that hunts in packs

is the everyday common name used instead of the Latin term
Cape hunting dog
vsAfrican hunting dog
  • South African
9.2

A large wild dog from southern and eastern Africa that hunts in packs

is the general name without emphasis on rarity or human proximity

How Social

wolf
493 1.0
African hunting dog
  • South African
5.3
jackal
44 3.5
coyote
  • US
70 2.8
fox
78 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

African + hunting + dog

The meaning is directly compositional: 'African' (from Africa) + 'hunting' (related to pursuing prey) + 'dog' yields a dog from Africa associated with hunting. This adjective+noun+noun pattern is a standard, cross-linguistically transparent construction, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can reasonably infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

African hunting dog paints a clear picture: a wild dog from Africa that is known for hunting together with others. Because people watched these animals work as a team to chase prey, the name now means 'a large, social wild dog from southern and eastern Africa that hunts in packs'.