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Glite Dictionary
Taurotragus oryx

Taurotragus oryx

9.9
A very large African antelope like a deer with short, slightly curved horns that lives in herds
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Taurotragus oryx
  • Herds of Taurotragus oryx often graze on the open plains at dusk.

Examples

  • Conservationists are studying the migration patterns of Taurotragus oryx to protect their habitats.

  • The Taurotragus oryx is the largest species of antelope found in Africa.

  • The Taurotragus oryx is known for its impressive size.

  • Have you ever seen a Taurotragus oryx in the wild?

  • Herds of Taurotragus oryx can often be seen roaming the savannahs of southern Africa.

  • The Taurotragus oryx has a distinctive spiral-shaped horn that sets it apart from other antelope.

  • In national parks, tourists often come to catch a glimpse of the majestic Taurotragus oryx.

Synonyms

antelope
vsTaurotragus oryx
28 2.9

An animal with long legs and curved horns that runs fast in Africa and Asia

is a single large species native to southern and eastern Africa
eland
vsTaurotragus oryx
  • South African
1 9.1

A large African antelope with short spiral horns on both males and females

is one specific species among those two not the general term
common eland
vsTaurotragus oryx
  • South African
7.5

A large African antelope with a fawn coat and spiral horns often found in grasslands

has identical meaning but is the scientific binomial name
Taurotragus
vsTaurotragus oryx
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of large African antelopes called elands

is the single species within that genus rather than the whole group

Surface Forms

Taurotragus oryx singular
Taurotragus oryx plural

Morphology

Taurotragus + oryx

This is a scientific binomial combining a genus name ('Taurotragus' = genus of large antelopes) with a species epithet ('oryx' = a large antelope), so the referent is directly a particular kind of antelope. Because both constituents denote antelope taxa, the overall meaning (a specific large African antelope) is compositionally transparent to a learner who knows the parts, even if the form is technical.

Etymology

Taurotragus oryx may come from old words: tauro- meaning 'bull', tragus meaning 'goat', and oryx meaning 'antelope'. So the name makes you picture a large, bull-like antelope, which is the common eland.