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Glite Dictionary
family Cathartidae

family Cathartidae

9.7
Large birds from the Americas, like condors and turkey vultures, that eat dead animals
  • noun
  • /ˈfæmɪli kəˈθɑːrtɪdeɪ/
  • Specialized
: familia Cathartidae
  • The family Cathartidae includes both condors and turkey vultures found across the Americas.

Examples

  • Unlike Old World vultures, members of the family Cathartidae are native to the New World.

  • Researchers have studied the role of the family Cathartidae in the ecosystem as scavengers.

  • The family Cathartidae includes several species of vultures.

  • Did you know that family Cathartidae consists of large birds?

  • The family Cathartidae is known for its impressive wingspan, particularly in the case of the condor.

  • In the family Cathartidae, the turkey vulture is easily recognized by its distinctive dark plumage.

  • Birdwatchers often seek out different species within the family Cathartidae during their travels in South America.

Synonyms

Cathartidae
vsfamily Cathartidae
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A family of large vultures from the Americas that includes condors and turkey vultures

is the same meaning but written as a phrase that adds the rank word

Surface Forms

family Cathartidae singular
families Cathartidae plural

Morphology

family + Cathartidae

This is a straightforward compositional taxonomic phrase: 'family' (a scientific grouping) combined with the taxon name 'Cathartidae' yields ‘the family called Cathartidae’ and the meaning follows directly from the constituents. Scientific naming of taxa is a transparent, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words will understand the MWE.

Etymology

Family Cathartidae gets its name from an old Greek word meaning 'purify'. Because these large New World vultures clean up dead animals, the name links to their role as 'scavengers'.