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Glite Dictionary
Otis tarda

Otis tarda

9.9
A very large land bird found in parts of Europe and Asia and the largest land bird in Europe
  • proper noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Otis tarda
  • The Otis tarda is listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss and hunting.

Examples

  • Researchers spotted a flock of Otis tarda feeding in the open grasslands.

  • Did you know that the Otis tarda can weigh up to 18 kilograms?

  • Conservationists are working to increase the population of Otis tarda in southern Europe.

  • The Otis tarda is known for its impressive size.

  • Conservationists are working to increase the population of Otis tarda in southern Europe.

  • Researchers spotted a flock of Otis tarda feeding in the open grasslands.

  • The Otis tarda is listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss and hunting.

Synonyms

great bustard
vsOtis tarda
  • UK
9.5

A very large bird from Europe and Asia that is the heaviest flying bird in Europe

is the formal scientific label used in academic taxonomic contexts

Surface Forms

Otis tarda main

Morphology

Otis + tarda

This is a Latin scientific name (a taxonomic proper name) rather than a compositional English phrase; a B1 learner knowing the listed constituents would not be able to derive the meaning 'great bustard' from them. Even if 'tarda' has a Latin sense ('slow'), that is specialized knowledge and the binomial functions as an arbitrary label, so the meaning is not transparent to typical learners.

Etymology

Otis tarda comes from old Greek and Latin words: Otis was a name for bustards and tarda means 'slow' or 'heavy'. Because the great bustard is a very large, heavy bird that walks slowly across open fields, the name helps you remember it is the big European land bird.