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Glite Dictionary
Viverra zibetha

Viverra zibetha

9.9
A large civet from India and Southeast Asia with a long body, short legs, and a strong musky smell
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : civeta de la India
  • The Viverra zibetha is a large civet recognized for its long body and musky scent.

Examples

  • The Viverra zibetha is often found in forested regions of India and Southeast Asia.

  • Zoologists study the scent-marking behaviors of the Viverra zibetha.

  • The Viverra zibetha has distinctive black and white markings on its body.

  • The Viverra zibetha is often found in forests.

  • Did you know that the Viverra zibetha has a musky scent?

  • In the jungles of India, the Viverra zibetha can often be seen climbing trees to search for food.

  • Known for its unique markings, the Viverra zibetha plays an important role in the ecosystem of Southeast Asia.

Synonyms

large civet
vsViverra zibetha
  • Indian
7.8

A fairly large animal like a cat that is active at night in Asian forests

gives detailed body shape features and mentions a distinctive musky scent

Surface Forms

Viverra zibetha singular
Viverra zibethas plural

Morphology

Viverra + zibetha

This is a Latin scientific binomial rather than a compositional English phrase; species epithets function as proper names and 'zibetha' has no transparent English meaning. Even if a learner recognized 'Viverra' as a carnivorous mammal, the precise referent ('a large civet with these traits') is not derivable from the parts, so the expression is not predictable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Viverra zibetha may come from old Latin and local words: Viverra meaning a 'weasel-like animal' and zibetha from a word for 'civet' or 'strong smell'. So the name points to a civet known for its strong smell.