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Glite Dictionary
Thylacinus cynocephalus

Thylacinus cynocephalus

9.9
A probably extinct doglike animal from Tasmania with a pouch and stripes called the Tasmanian tiger
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Thylacinus cynocephalus
  • The last known Thylacinus cynocephalus died in captivity in 1936 at Hobart Zoo.

Examples

  • The striped back of Thylacinus cynocephalus gave rise to its nickname, the Tasmanian tiger.

  • Scientists still debate the ecological role played by Thylacinus cynocephalus within Tasmanian habitats.

  • The Thylacinus cynocephalus was once found throughout Tasmania.

  • Is the Thylacinus cynocephalus really extinct?

  • The last known Thylacinus cynocephalus died in captivity in 1936 at Hobart Zoo.

  • Scientists still debate the ecological role played by Thylacinus cynocephalus within Tasmanian habitats.

  • The striped back of Thylacinus cynocephalus gave rise to its nickname, the Tasmanian tiger.

Synonyms

Tasmanian tiger
vsThylacinus cynocephalus
  • Australian
1 9.5

A doglike meat-eating animal from Tasmania with stripes and a pouch, believed extinct since the 20th century

is the formal scientific name rather than a descriptive common name
thylacine
vsThylacinus cynocephalus
  • Australian
1 9.9

A doglike animal from Tasmania with stripes on its back called the Tasmanian tiger and thought to be extinct

is the formal scientific name used in taxonomy for the species
Tasmanian wolf
vsThylacinus cynocephalus
  • Australian
9.9

A type of animal from Tasmania that looks like a dog, has stripes on its back, and is now extinct

is the formal scientific name rather than colloquial or comparative names

Surface Forms

Thylacinus cynocephalus singular

Morphology

Thylacinus + cynocephalus

This is a Latin scientific binomial (genus + species) rather than a normal English phrase; its function is taxonomic and not a compositional everyday meaning. One constituent ('cynocephalus') is not an English word in the entry and even knowing 'Thylacinus' as a genus does not allow a B1 learner to derive ‘the Tasmanian tiger’ from the parts. Because the term is technical and language-specific, it would be opaque to learners.

Etymology

Thylacinus cynocephalus is a scientific name made from Greek words: thylacinus meaning 'pouched' and cynocephalus meaning 'dog-headed'. This picture of a pouch-bearing, dog-like animal is why the name refers to the Tasmanian tiger (the thylacine).