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Glite Dictionary
Saimiri sciureus

Saimiri sciureus

9.9
A small long-tailed monkey from Central and South America with green fur and a black face
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Saimiri sciureus
  • Researchers observed the Saimiri sciureus in its natural rainforest habitat.

Examples

  • The Saimiri sciureus is known for its agility and playful behavior.

  • Zoos often house the Saimiri sciureus because of its popularity with visitors.

  • The Saimiri sciureus is known for its playful behavior.

  • Did you see the Saimiri sciureus at the zoo?

  • Researchers observed the Saimiri sciureus in its natural rainforest habitat.

  • The Saimiri sciureus is known for its agility and playful behavior.

  • Zoos often house the Saimiri sciureus because of its popularity with visitors.

Synonyms

squirrel monkey
vsSaimiri sciureus
1 5.5

A small active monkey with a long tail and dark face that lives in Central and South American forests

is the formal scientific Latin name for the same species

Surface Forms

Saimiri sciureus singular
Saimiri sciureuses plural

Morphology

Saimiri + sciureus

The first element 'Saimiri' names a genus of small monkeys, so a learner who knows that would recognize the phrase refers to a particular monkey; however 'sciureus' is a Latin species epithet (not an English word) and only conveys ‘squirrel‑like’ to those with Latin/biological knowledge. Because understanding the full referent as the common squirrel monkey requires knowledge of scientific naming or the Latin root, the expression is not fully predictable from everyday English vocabulary.

Etymology

Saimiri sciureus may come from a local name plus a Latin word: Saimiri was what native people called this small monkey and sciureus means 'squirrel-like', because of its long tail and quick, jumpy moves. That's why the name points to the small, agile 'squirrel monkey' we know today.