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Glite Dictionary
Macronectes giganteus

Macronectes giganteus

9.9
A large brown seabird that lives in Antarctic seas
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Macronectes giganteus
  • The Macronectes giganteus is one of the largest seabirds nesting in Antarctica.

Examples

  • Researchers observed a flock of Macronectes giganteus feeding on the shoreline.

  • Conservation efforts are underway to protect the habitats of Macronectes giganteus in the Southern Ocean.

  • The Macronectes giganteus is known for its impressive wingspan.

  • Have you ever seen a Macronectes giganteus in the wild?

  • Conservation efforts are underway to protect the habitats of Macronectes giganteus in the Southern Ocean.

  • Researchers observed a flock of Macronectes giganteus feeding on the shoreline.

  • The Macronectes giganteus is one of the largest seabirds nesting in Antarctica.

Synonyms

giant fulmar
vsMacronectes giganteus
9.8

A large brown seabird that lives near Antarctica

is commonly called by a different name in many references
giant petrel
vsMacronectes giganteus
  • Australian
8.1

A large seabird like a big seagull that lives near Antarctic seas and eats dead animals, fish, and squid

is narrower, referring to that particular species rather than the broader family

Surface Forms

Macronectes giganteus singular
Macronectes gigantei singular

Morphology

Macronectes + giganteus

This is a Latin binomial (genus + specific epithet) rather than a compositional English phrase: 'Macronectes' is a taxonomic proper name and 'giganteus' is a Latin adjective not listed as an English word. A B1 learner who knows the listed constituents would not be able to derive the species meaning (a large southern giant petrel) without specialist biological or Latin knowledge, so the expression is not transparently interpretable.

Etymology

Macronectes giganteus comes from old Greek and Latin words: macronectes means 'big swimmer' and giganteus means 'giant'. That's why people used this name for the very large seabird that swims and flies in the Southern Ocean.