family Muscidae
- noun
- /ˈfæmɪli ˈmʌsɪdeɪ/
- Specialized
- Did you know that the family Muscidae contains the housefly?
Examples
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Scientists study the family Muscidae to understand disease transmission.
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The family Muscidae includes many species found around human habitation.
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Members of the family Muscidae are known for their rapid breeding cycles.
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The family Muscidae includes many common flies.
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The family Muscidae includes the common housefly, a familiar sight in many households.
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Members of the family Muscidae are often found in areas where food is present.
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Researchers are investigating the family Muscidae to learn more about their ecological roles.
Synonyms
A group of flies with two wings, including the common housefly
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward taxonomic NP combining 'family' (a scientific grouping) with the taxon name 'Muscidae'; knowing both constituents allows a learner to infer it refers to the family of flies called Muscidae (including houseflies). This compositional pattern is regular in scientific nomenclature and cross-linguistically common, so the meaning is directly derivable from the parts.
Etymology
The name family Muscidae comes from Latin: musca meaning 'fly' and the ending -idae that marks a family or group. So, family Muscidae simply names the group of flies such as the common housefly.