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Glite Dictionary
Lyrurus tetrix

Lyrurus tetrix

9.9
A large northern European grouse with males that are mostly black and tails shaped like a lyre
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Lyrurus tetrix
  • During their spring display, male Lyrurus tetrix fan their lyre-shaped tails and call loudly.

Examples

  • The unique courtship dance of Lyrurus tetrix attracts birdwatchers from across Europe.

  • Conservation efforts have helped increase the population of Lyrurus tetrix in several regions.

  • The Lyrurus tetrix is known for its unique mating display.

  • Have you ever seen a Lyrurus tetrix in the wild?

  • During their spring display, male Lyrurus tetrix fan their lyre-shaped tails and call loudly.

  • The unique courtship dance of Lyrurus tetrix attracts birdwatchers from across Europe.

  • Conservation efforts have helped increase the population of Lyrurus tetrix in several regions.

Synonyms

European black grouse
vsLyrurus tetrix
  • UK
8.7

A large black bird from northern Europe with a tail that curves like a lyre

is the same species but called commonly by another name
heathfowl
vsLyrurus tetrix
  • UK
9.9

A large bird from northern Europe with black feathers and a curved tail

is identical in meaning but given as a common alternative name
black grouse
vsLyrurus tetrix
  • UK
8.5

A large bird from Europe and Asia whose male is blue-black with a curved tail

is more specific to northern Europe and describes the male as mostly black

Surface Forms

Lyrurus tetrix singular
Lyrurus tetrix plural

Morphology

Lyrurus + tetrix

This is a Latin scientific name (binomial) rather than a compositional English phrase; knowing the parts does not give a B1 learner the species meaning because 'tetrix' is not a transparent English word and taxonomic names require specific biological knowledge. Although scientific names are stable across languages, they are learned labels rather than predictable combinations, so the meaning is not derivable from the constituents for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Lyrurus tetrix may come from the male bird's tail, which spreads like a small 'lyre', a kind of harp, so the first part Lyrurus points to that shape and the second part tetrix was an old word for a grouse. That's why the name means the black grouse with a lyre-shaped tail.