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Glite Dictionary
Hippopotamidae

Hippopotamidae

1 9.9
A family of large mammals that mostly eat plants and live partly in water, including hippos
  • noun
  • /ˌhɪpəˈpɒtəˌmeɪdi/
  • Specialized
: hipopótamos
  • The Hippopotamidae family includes the famous hippopotamus.

Examples

  • Scientists classified pygmy hippos as part of the Hippopotamidae family.

  • The Hippopotamidae are native to sub-Saharan Africa and are known for their amphibious lifestyles.

  • Exhibits on the Hippopotamidae in the museum detailed their evolution and ecological role.

  • Many species of Hippopotamidae are found in Africa.

  • Scientists classified the pygmy hippo as part of the Hippopotamidae family.

  • Exhibits on the Hippopotamidae in the museum detailed their evolution and ecological role.

  • The Hippopotamidae are native to sub-Saharan Africa and are known for their amphibious lifestyles.

Synonyms

family Hippopotamidae
vsHippopotamidae
  • Specialized
8.4

A group of large African animals like the common and pygmy hippo that live in water

is a general taxonomic definition that highlights diet rather than location

Compounds

family Hippopotamidae
  • Specialized
8.4

A group of large African animals like the common and pygmy hippo that live in water

Surface Forms

Hippopotamidae singular
Hippopotamids plural

Morphology

Hippopotamidae = hippopotamus (semi-transparent) = hippopotamus + idae

The form is transparently built from 'hippopotamus' plus the taxonomic suffix '-idae', but '-idae' is a specialized scientific suffix likely unfamiliar to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Hippopotamidae breaks into Greek parts: hippos 'horse' and potamos 'river', plus the family ending -idae meaning 'group of related animals'. So Hippopotamidae is the 'river-horses' family — the group that includes hippos, big animals that mostly eat plants and live partly in water.