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Glite Dictionary
Lynx rufus

Lynx rufus

8.6
A small wild cat native to North America often called the bobcat
  • noun
  • /lɪŋks ˈruːfəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Lynx rufus
  • The Lynx rufus has adapted to a wide variety of habitats across North America.

Examples

  • Unlike its Eurasian cousin, the Lynx rufus is smaller and more widely distributed in the United States.

  • Researchers observed several Lynx rufus during their wildlife survey in the forest.

  • The Lynx rufus is known for its tufted ears.

  • Have you ever seen a Lynx rufus in the wild?

  • During our hike, we spotted a Lynx rufus resting near a tree.

  • The Lynx rufus is often found in wooded areas and deserts throughout its range.

  • Wildlife photographers often seek to capture images of the elusive Lynx rufus in its natural habitat.

Synonyms

bobcat
vsLynx rufus
  • US
33 3.0

A medium-sized wild cat from North America with a short tail and small groups of hair on its ears

is the formal Latin name used by scientists rather than the everyday term
bay lynx
vsLynx rufus
  • US
8.6

A small wild cat from North America with a short tail and spotted fur

is the formal scientific name used in taxonomy rather than common speech

Surface Forms

Lynx rufus singular

Morphology

Lynx + rufus

This is a Linnaean binomial: 'Lynx' clearly signals a wild-cat genus so a learner who knows that would infer it names a type of lynx, but 'rufus' is a Latin epithet (not a normal English word; dictionary entry missing) and does not transparently yield the common name 'bobcat'. Thus the phrase gives a partial, predictable clue about taxonomic class but not the specific everyday meaning without prior exposure or knowledge of the Latin epithet.

Etymology

The name Lynx rufus comes from Latin words: Lynx was used for a wild cat known for its very bright, shining eyes, and rufus means 'red', describing its fur. So, the name is a simple description of the bobcat.