genus Apus
- noun
- /ˈdʒɛnəs ˈeɪpəs/
- Specialized
:
género Apus
- The genus Apus includes several species of swifts.
Examples
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Birdwatchers are often fascinated by the migratory patterns of the genus Apus.
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The genus Apus is well known for the aerial abilities of its members.
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Scientists identified the fossil as belonging to the genus Apus after extensive analysis.
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Did you know that the genus Apus is known for its aerial agility?
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Birdwatchers are often fascinated by the migratory patterns of the genus Apus.
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Scientists identified the fossil as belonging to the genus Apus after extensive analysis.
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The genus Apus is well known for the aerial abilities of its members.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A group of small, fast birds called swifts that live mostly in the air
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally built from 'genus' (a biological rank) plus the proper name 'Apus', so a learner who knows both constituents will directly understand it as ‘the genus called Apus’ (i.e., the taxonomic group of swifts). This naming pattern is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so the meaning is predictable from the parts.
Etymology
Genus Apus comes from an old Greek word Apus, which was used to mean 'without feet' because these swifts have very short legs and rarely land. So the name gives the image of a bird that seems to fly without using its feet, and that is why it is used for this group of fast, long-winged birds.