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Glite Dictionary
family Giraffidae

family Giraffidae

7.4
A group of large African animals that includes giraffes and okapis
  • noun
  • /ˈfæmɪli dʒɪˈræfɪdeɪ/
  • Specialized
: familia Giraffidae
  • The family Giraffidae consists of just two living species: the giraffe and the okapi.

Examples

  • Research on the family Giraffidae helps scientists understand the evolution of long necks in animals.

  • The family Giraffidae is known for its long necks.

  • Fossils show that members of the family Giraffidae were once much more diverse than they are today.

  • Did you know that the family Giraffidae includes both giraffes and okapis?

  • The family Giraffidae includes fascinating creatures like the giraffe and the okapi.

  • Members of the family Giraffidae are known for their unique adaptations to their environment.

  • Conservation efforts are important for the survival of the family Giraffidae in the wild.

Synonyms

Giraffidae
vsfamily Giraffidae
  • Specialized
9.6

A group of large African mammals that eat plants, including giraffes and extinct relatives

is the same family but highlights inclusion of a living okapi species

Surface Forms

family Giraffidae singular
families Giraffidae plural

Morphology

family + Giraffidae

The phrase is fully compositional: 'family' (a taxonomic grouping) combined with the proper taxonomic name 'Giraffidae' directly yields the meaning 'the family that includes giraffes and okapis.' This follows standard scientific naming conventions (common across languages) and involves no idiomatic or metaphorical shift, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand it.

Etymology

The name family Giraffidae comes from an old word for the giraffe, so Giraffidae was used to name a group of related animals. It means the 'family' that today includes the giraffe and the okapi.