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Glite Dictionary
Megaderma lyra

Megaderma lyra

9.9
A large bat from South and Southeast Asia that eats small animals at night and has very large ears
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Megaderma lyra
  • The Megaderma lyra hunts small prey using its acute hearing and silent flight.

Examples

  • Researchers observed the feeding habits of Megaderma lyra in its natural forest environment.

  • The Megaderma lyra is known for its impressive echolocation abilities.

  • In some regions, the Megaderma lyra, also known as the greater false vampire bat, inhabits old ruins and caves.

  • Have you ever seen a Megaderma lyra in the wild?

  • In some regions, the Megaderma lyra, also known as the greater false vampire bat, inhabits old ruins and caves.

  • Researchers observed the feeding habits of Megaderma lyra in its natural forest environment.

  • The Megaderma lyra hunts small prey using its acute hearing and silent flight.

Synonyms

bat
vsMegaderma lyra
201 1.0

A small animal that flies at night and finds food by sound

is a specific large meat-eating Old World species not the general mammal
big-eared bat
vsMegaderma lyra
  • Specialized
8.0

A large bat with very large ears that listens for insect sounds

is native specifically to South and Southeast Asia rather than broadly Old World
carnivorous bat
vsMegaderma lyra
7.4

A bat that eats insects and finds them by using sound

is native to South and Southeast Asia rather than occurring worldwide
long-eared bat
vsMegaderma lyra
7.5

A bat with very long ears that finds insects by sound

is limited to South and Southeast Asia rather than Old and New Worlds

Surface Forms

Megaderma lyra singular
Megaderma lyras plural

Morphology

Megaderma + lyra

This is a Latin binomial (scientific name): knowing the genus 'Megaderma' might hint at bats, but the species epithet 'lyra' is not a common English word and offers no predictable semantic contribution for a B1 learner. The phrase denotes a specific taxonomic species and its detailed meaning (a large carnivorous Old World bat with very large ears) cannot be compositionally derived from the constituents, so it is not transparently understandable.

Etymology

Megaderma lyra may come from Greek parts mega and derma meaning 'large' and 'skin', plus lyra meaning 'lyre', a small harp. Because this bat has very large ears and a face shape that can look a little like a harp, the name helps you remember it is a large, big-eared bat.