Dama dama
- noun
- Specialized
:
Dama dama
- The palmate antlers of Dama dama distinguish it from other deer species.
Examples
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The Dama dama is known for its distinctive spotted coat.
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The natural habitat of Dama dama extends across much of Europe and western Asia.
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Researchers observed a herd of Dama dama grazing peacefully in the meadow.
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Look at that Dama dama!
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Researchers observed a herd of Dama dama grazing peacefully in the meadow.
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The natural habitat of Dama dama extends across much of Europe and western Asia.
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The palmate antlers of Dama dama distinguish it from other deer species.
Synonyms
1
7.8
A medium-sized deer with wide flat antlers and a light brown coat with white spots in summer
Surface Forms
Morphology
The expression is a scientific binomial (genus + species) and both constituents denote the deer genus Dama, so a learner who knows those words can infer it refers to a type of deer rather than an idiomatic meaning. However, identifying the precise species (that Dama dama = fallow deer) depends on knowledge of taxonomic naming conventions and domain knowledge, so the exact referent is not fully predictable from the parts alone.
Etymology
Dama dama may come from an old Latin word 'dama' meaning 'deer', and the word is simply repeated to name this particular animal. So, remembering the repeated name helps you recall it is the fallow deer with a spotted coat and broad, flat antlers.