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Glite Dictionary
Loxodonta africana

Loxodonta africana

8.9
A large African elephant with big ears and long tusks
  • noun
  • /lɒkˈsɒdəntə əˈfrɪkənə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Loxodonta africana
  • The Loxodonta africana is distinguished by its large ears, which help regulate body temperature.

Examples

  • Conservationists are working to protect Loxodonta africana from poaching and habitat loss.

  • Scientists are studying the migration patterns of Loxodonta africana across the savannas of Africa.

  • The Loxodonta africana is the largest land animal on Earth.

  • Did you know that the Loxodonta africana can weigh up to 12,000 pounds?

  • Conservationists are working to protect Loxodonta africana from poaching and habitat loss.

  • Scientists are studying the migration patterns of Loxodonta africana across the savannas of Africa.

  • The Loxodonta africana is distinguished by its large ears, which help regulate body temperature.

Synonyms

elephant
vsLoxodonta africana
389 1.0

A very large land animal with a long trunk and tusks

is narrower, applies to the species from the continent with big ears and tusks
African elephant
vsLoxodonta africana
  • South African
3 1.7

A very large gray land animal with a long trunk, big ears, and long tusks

is the formal scientific label for the same species

Surface Forms

Loxodonta africana singular
Loxodonta africanas plural

Morphology

Loxodonta + africana

This is a binomial scientific name composed of a genus (Loxodonta, a genus of elephants) plus a specific epithet (africana, ‘African’ in Latin), so its meaning 'African Loxodonta' → African elephant is directly derivable from the constituents. Binomial nomenclature is a regular, cross-linguistically consistent system, so a learner who knows both parts can transparently infer the referent.

Etymology

Loxodonta africana may come from old Greek words: lox means 'slanted' and donta means 'tooth', while africana means 'from Africa'. So the name gives a clear picture of a large African animal with curved tusks, which is why it refers to the African elephant.