family Vireonidae

9.8

Small birds from North and South America that sing and eat insects

noun
/ˈfæmɪli vɪrˈeɪoʊnɪdi/

Specialized

: familia Vireonidae

The family Vireonidae is known for its small, greenish songbirds known as vireos.

Examples

Researchers recently discovered a new member of the family Vireonidae in the Amazon rainforest.
The family Vireonidae includes many colorful species of small songbirds.
Many species within the family Vireonidae inhabit North and South America.
The family Vireonidae includes many colorful species.
Many birds in the family Vireonidae are found in North America.
Many species within the family Vireonidae inhabit North and South America.
Researchers recently discovered a new member of the family Vireonidae in the Amazon rainforest.

Synonyms

Vireonidae

vsfamily Vireonidae

Specialized

9.9

A group of small insect-eating songbirds like vireos found in the Americas

is the same meaning but adds the rank word for clearer labelling

Surface Forms

family Vireonidae singular

families Vireonidae plural

Morphology

family + Vireonidae

The phrase is compositionally transparent: 'family' (a scientific grouping) combined with the taxonomic name 'Vireonidae' directly yields the meaning 'the taxonomic family named Vireonidae' (a group of related birds). This follows common cross-linguistic scientific naming patterns and would be immediately understandable to a learner who knows both constituents (including that Vireonidae is a bird family).

Etymology

The name family Vireonidae comes from the small birds called vireos. The word 'vireo' meant 'to be green', so picture a family of little green songbirds that eat insects, and that is why the term refers to this group of birds today.