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Glite Dictionary
Marco Polo sheep

Marco Polo sheep

9.2
A large wild sheep from Central Asia with very long spiral horns
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : oveja de Marco Polo
  • The Marco Polo sheep is renowned for its impressive, spiraled horns, which can reach up to 1.9 meters in length.

Examples

  • Researchers are studying the migration patterns of the Marco Polo sheep across the Pamir Mountains.

  • Hunters consider the Marco Polo sheep one of the most coveted big game trophies due to its distinctive horns.

  • The Marco Polo sheep is a majestic animal.

  • Have you ever seen a Marco Polo sheep in the wild?

  • Hunters consider the Marco Polo sheep one of the most coveted big game trophies due to its distinctive horns.

  • Researchers are studying the migration patterns of the Marco Polo sheep across the Pamir Mountains.

  • The Marco Polo sheep is renowned for its impressive, spiraled horns, which can reach up to 1.9 meters in length.

Synonyms

argali
vsMarco Polo sheep
1 9.9

A large wild sheep from Central Asia with big curved horns on males

is the highland sheep with exceptionally long spiral horns instead of simple curves
Marco Polo's sheep
vsMarco Polo sheep
  • Specialized
9.6

A large wild sheep from Central Asia that lives in high mountains and has very long spiral horns

uses the same meaning but in a possessive name form
Ovis poli
vsMarco Polo sheep
  • Specialized
9.9

A wild Asian sheep with very large curled horns

is treated as a variety of the larger species rather than a separate one
Ovis ammon
vsMarco Polo sheep
  • Specialized
9.9

A large wild sheep from central Asian mountains with very long curved horns

is the specific population sometimes classified under that broader species
argal
vsMarco Polo sheep
9.9

A wild sheep with large curved horns that lives in dry, rocky areas of central Asia

is the more distinct regional sheep with longer spiral horns and larger size

Surface Forms

Marco Polo sheep singular
Marco Polo sheep plural

Morphology

Marco + Polo + sheep

This is an eponymic name: 'Marco Polo' is a proper name attached to 'sheep', so knowing the constituents only tells a learner that it is some kind of sheep but gives no information about the species' size, horn shape, or Central Asian range. The specific zoological meaning requires encyclopedic or cultural knowledge (the historical name or species identity), so it is not derivable by a B1 learner from the parts alone.

Etymology

Marco Polo sheep is 'named after' the explorer Marco Polo, who wrote about huge wild sheep with very long spiral horns during his travels in Central Asia. So the name helps you remember that this animal is the famous long‑horned sheep from those mountains.