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Glite Dictionary
Thalarctos maritimus

Thalarctos maritimus

9.9
A large white bear that lives in the Arctic and hunts on sea ice
  • noun
  • /θəˈlɑrk.təs ˌmɛr.ɪˈtɪ.məs/
  • Archaic
translation icon : Thalarctos maritimus
  • The Thalarctos maritimus has developed unique adaptations to survive the Arctic cold.

Examples

  • The Thalarctos maritimus is an apex predator in the Arctic ecosystem.

  • Did you know that the Thalarctos maritimus can weigh over 1,500 pounds?

  • Conservation efforts aim to protect Thalarctos maritimus from the effects of climate change.

  • Scientists observed several Thalarctos maritimus hunting on the sea ice near the North Pole.

  • Conservation efforts aim to protect Thalarctos maritimus from the effects of climate change.

  • Scientists observed several Thalarctos maritimus hunting on the sea ice near the North Pole.

  • The Thalarctos maritimus has developed unique adaptations to survive the Arctic cold.

Synonyms

polar bear
vsThalarctos maritimus
  • US
37 1.1

A large white bear that lives in the Arctic and hunts seals on sea ice

uses a scientific label instead of the everyday name
Ursus maritimus
vsThalarctos maritimus
  • Specialized
7.7

A large white bear that lives in the Arctic and hunts on sea ice

uses an alternative scientific name form for the same species
ice bear
vsThalarctos maritimus
2.3

A large white bear that lives in the Arctic and hunts seals

uses a formal Latin name rather than an informal common name

Surface Forms

Thalarctos maritimus singular
Thalarctos maritimus plural

Morphology

Thalarctos + maritimus

This is a Latin scientific binomial rather than a normal English compositional phrase: its parts are specialized taxonomic/Latin elements, not common English words, so a B1 learner who knows the surface constituents would not reliably infer 'polar bear'. Even if roots like 'arctos' (bear) or 'maritimus' (maritime) could hint at something, recognising the specific species name requires specialist biological or Latin knowledge, making the expression unpredictable to general learners.

Etymology

Thalarctos maritimus comes from old words that mean 'sea' and 'bear', with Thalarctos and maritimus both pointing to the sea. The name gives the picture of a big white bear living on sea ice and swimming, so it fits the polar bear today.