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Glite Dictionary
Acris gryllus

Acris gryllus

9.9
A small frog from the eastern United States that lives by ponds and makes a high chirping call
  • noun
  • /ˈeɪkrɪs ˈɡrɪləs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Acris gryllus
  • The Acris gryllus is often found near ponds and marshes in southeastern states.

Examples

  • Unlike other frogs, the Acris gryllus has rough, warty skin and a high-pitched chirp.

  • Researchers recorded the call of Acris gryllus to study its breeding habits.

  • The Acris gryllus is often found near ponds.

  • Did you hear the call of the Acris gryllus?

  • Researchers recorded the call of Acris gryllus to study its breeding habits.

  • The Acris gryllus is often found near ponds and marshes in southeastern states.

  • Unlike other frogs, the Acris gryllus has rough, warty skin and a high-pitched chirp.

Surface Forms

Acris gryllus singular
Acris grylluses plural

Morphology

Acris + Gryllus

The term is a Latin binomial: the first element names a frog genus (Acris) and the second element (gryllus) evokes 'cricket'. A learner who knows both constituents and understands scientific naming might infer it denotes a frog associated with crickets (i.e., a 'cricket frog'), but this relies on domain knowledge of binomial conventions, so the meaning is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Acris gryllus comes from Latin words that describe the frog: acris means 'sharp' and gryllus means 'cricket'. People named it this because the frog is small and makes a high, cricket-like chirp, so the name helps you remember it is the little 'cricket' frog with a 'sharp' call.