Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
- noun
- Specialized
:
capibara
- Zoo visitors were fascinated by the size of the Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris in its habitat.
Examples
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Did you know that the Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris can weigh over 100 pounds?
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The Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris is often seen relaxing next to rivers in South America.
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Farmers sometimes encounter the Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris grazing near water sources.
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The Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris is often found near rivers.
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Farmers sometimes encounter the Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris grazing near water sources.
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The Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris is often seen relaxing next to rivers in South America.
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Did you know that the Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris can weigh over 100 pounds?
Synonyms
2
7.5
A large tailless South American rodent with webbed feet that lives near water
A large rodent like a giant guinea pig that lives near water
Surface Forms
Morphology
Hydrochoerus + hydrochaeris
This is a Latin binomial (a taxonomic proper name) rather than a compositional English expression, so its reference to the capybara is not transparently derivable from ordinary English word meanings. Even if a learner 'knew' the listed parts, they are specialized Latin forms (one lacks a dictionary definition here) and binomial names function as arbitrary labels, making the meaning unpredictable for a B1 learner.
Etymology
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris may come from old Greek words: hydro meaning 'water' and choerus meaning 'pig', so the name gives the image of a 'water pig'. That's why it fits the capybara, a very large rodent that lives near water and often swims.