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Glite Dictionary
Panthera leo

Panthera leo

5.9
A large wild cat that lives in Africa and India, known as the lion
  • noun
  • /ˈpænθərə ˈliːoʊ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Panthera leo
  • The Panthera leo, often referred to as the lion, is recognized by its powerful build and social behavior.

Examples

  • Many conservationists are working to protect Panthera leo from habitat loss and hunting.

  • The Panthera leo is one of the most iconic species of Africa's savannas.

  • Male Panthera leo are distinguished by their majestic manes.

  • The Panthera leo is known as the king of the jungle.

  • Did you know that the Panthera leo can weigh up to 500 pounds?

  • The Panthera leo hunts in groups called prides, making them effective predators.

  • A healthy population of Panthera leo is vital for maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

Synonyms

lion
vsPanthera leo
389 1.0

A large wild cat with a tawny coat and a shaggy mane on males

is the scientific name used in biology rather than everyday speech
king of beasts
vsPanthera leo
4.4

A lion that people think is powerful and noble

is the formal scientific label rather than a poetic honorific

Surface Forms

Panthera leo singular
Panthera leos plural

Morphology

Panthera + leo

This is a Linnaean binomial composed of genus + specific epithet: 'Panthera' denotes the group of big cats and 'leo' is the Latin word for lion, so a learner who knows both parts can directly infer it names the lion. Although 'leo' is Latin and may not appear in simple learner dictionaries, the root is cognate with common words for 'lion' across many languages, supporting recognizability.

Etymology

Panthera leo comes from old words for big cats: Panthera meant a large cat and leo meant 'lion'. So the name simply labels the animal we call the 'lion' today.