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Glite Dictionary
Sceloglaux albifacies

Sceloglaux albifacies

9.9
An owl from New Zealand called the laughing owl that is now extinct
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Sceloglaux albifacies
  • The Sceloglaux albifacies was once widespread throughout New Zealand before its extinction.

Examples

  • The unique call of the Sceloglaux albifacies inspired its common name, the laughing owl.

  • Researchers have studied bones of Sceloglaux albifacies to understand its diet and behavior.

  • The Sceloglaux albifacies was once a common sight in New Zealand.

  • Did you know that the Sceloglaux albifacies is also known as the laughing owl?

  • Researchers have studied bones of Sceloglaux albifacies to understand its diet and behavior.

  • The Sceloglaux albifacies was once widespread throughout New Zealand before its extinction.

  • The unique call of the Sceloglaux albifacies inspired its common name, the laughing owl.

Synonyms

laughing owl
vsSceloglaux albifacies
  • New Zealand
9.9

An almost extinct New Zealand owl with a loud laughing call

is considered extinct now rather than reported as nearly extinct
laughing jackass
vsSceloglaux albifacies
  • Archaic
9.9

A nearly extinct New Zealand owl with a loud call that sounds like laughter

is the same species but confirmed extinct rather than almost extinct

Surface Forms

Sceloglaux albifacies singular
Sceloglaux albifacieses plural

Morphology

Sceloglaux + albifacies

This is a Latin binomial (scientific) name rather than a compositional English phrase, so knowing the genus 'Sceloglaux' alone does not let a B1 learner infer the specific species identity, common name ('laughing owl'), or extinction status; the second element 'albifacies' is not a common English word and its Latin roots (albi- 'white', facies 'face') are unlikely to be known. Scientific names are lexical labels that are conventionally arbitrary to non-specialists, making the overall meaning unpredictable from the constituents for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Sceloglaux albifacies is the scientific name for the bird called the 'laughing owl'. The name mixes an old word glaux meaning 'owl' and Latin albifacies meaning 'white face', so imagine a pale-faced owl with a laughing call — that's why the name refers to that species, now extinct.