lagomorph
- noun
- /ˈlæɡəˌmɔrf/
- Specialized
- The lagomorph family includes not just rabbits but also pikas, which thrive in mountainous regions.
Examples
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"Before this lagomorph damages our marriage."
Academic text (2007) -
"They're lagomorphs."
Academic text (2007) -
A rabbit is a type of lagomorph known for its long ears and strong hind legs.
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Scientists study various species of lagomorph to understand their unique adaptations.
Surface Forms
Morphology
lagomorph = morph (opaque) = lago + morph
The term is a technical scientific formation using Greek combining forms; 'lago-' (hare) is not a productive English morpheme for most learners, making the sense non-derivable from the parts.
Etymology
Lagomorph comes from the Greek parts lagos 'hare' and morph 'form', so a helpful image is 'hare-shaped'. So lagomorph is the name for animals like rabbits, hares and pikas that share a similar body shape and way of living.