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Glite Dictionary
family Amphisbaenidae

family Amphisbaenidae

9.9
A group of legless lizards that live mostly underground and look like worms
  • noun
  • /ˈfæmɪli æmˌfɪsbiˈniːdeɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : familia Amphisbaenidae
  • The family Amphisbaenidae includes several species of burrowing, legless reptiles found in tropical regions.

Examples

  • Scientists discovered a new species within the family Amphisbaenidae in the Amazon rainforest.

  • Many species in the family Amphisbaenidae are adapted to an underground lifestyle.

  • Members of the family Amphisbaenidae are often called worm lizards because of their appearance and lifestyle.

  • The family Amphisbaenidae includes unique burrowing lizards.

  • Members of the family Amphisbaenidae are often called worm lizards because of their appearance and underground lifestyle.

  • Scientists discovered a new species within the family Amphisbaenidae that thrives in sandy soil.

  • The family Amphisbaenidae consists of legless reptiles that primarily burrow into the ground to escape predators.

Synonyms

Amphisbaenidae
vsfamily Amphisbaenidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of reptiles without legs that live underground and look like worms

emphasizes underground lifestyle rather than reduced-eye anatomy

Surface Forms

family Amphisbaenidae singular
families Amphisbaenidae plural

Morphology

family + Amphisbaenidae

This is a straightforward taxonomic noun phrase: 'family' (a scientific grouping) combined with the proper name 'Amphisbaenidae' yields the meaning 'the family called Amphisbaenidae' (i.e., the group of worm lizards). The composition follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern for biological classification, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would be able to derive the meaning.

Etymology

The name family Amphisbaenidae comes from an ancient Greek story about the Amphisbaena, a snake with a head at each end. These lizards are legless and look like worms or a two-headed snake and can move forward and backward while burrowing, so the name is used for these 'worm lizards'.