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Glite Dictionary
catarrhinian

catarrhinian

9.9
Relating to monkeys or apes from Africa and Asia with nostrils close together and pointing down
  • adjective
  • /ˌkætəˈrɪniən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : catarriniano
  • The catarrhinian monkeys of Africa are distinguished by their downward-facing nostrils.

Examples

  • Gibbons and macaques are both examples of catarrhinian species.

  • Anthropologists studied the differences between platyrrhine and catarrhinian primates.

  • The catarrhinian features of this species are fascinating.

  • Are all catarrhinian primates found in Africa?

  • Anthropologists studied the differences between platyrrhine and catarrhinian primates.

  • Gibbons and macaques are both examples of catarrhinian species.

  • The catarrhinian monkeys of Africa are distinguished by their downward-facing nostrils.

Synonyms

catarrhine
vscatarrhinian
  • Specialized
9.9

Relating to monkeys and apes from Africa and Asia that have nostrils close together and facing down

has the same meaning but is an alternative form of the term

Surface Forms

catarrhinian positive

Morphology

catarrhinian = catarrhine (opaque) = catarrhin + ian

Although formed by adding the productive suffix '-ian', the base 'catarrhine' is a specialized taxonomic term unfamiliar to average learners, so the meaning is not readily derivable.

Etymology

Catarrhinian comes from Greek parts kata- meaning 'down' and rhinos meaning 'nose', the same 'rhino' you see in rhinoceros. So it literally means 'down-nosed', which is why it describes Old World monkeys and apes whose nostrils are close together and point downward.