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Glite Dictionary
family Boidae

family Boidae

1 6.8
A group of snakes like boas and pythons that are not venomous and kill prey by squeezing
  • noun
  • /ˈfæmɪli ˈbɔɪdeɪ/
  • Specialized
: familia Boidae
  • The family Boidae is characterized by non-venomous snakes that kill their prey by constriction.

Examples

  • The family Boidae includes several large snakes.

  • Pythons and boas, both in the family Boidae, have similar physical traits but inhabit different continents.

  • Scientists have long studied the evolution of the family Boidae to understand snake diversity.

  • Many species within the family Boidae are popular in the pet trade.

  • The green anaconda is one of the largest snakes in the family Boidae.

  • Most species in the family Boidae are known for their ability to constrict prey.

  • The family Boidae includes well-known snakes like the boa constrictor and the reticulated python.

Synonyms

Boidae
vsfamily Boidae
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A group of snakes like boas and anacondas that kill prey by squeezing

is defined by killing prey by constriction rather than using venom

Surface Forms

family Boidae singular
family Boidaes plural
Boidaes plural
Boidae singular

Morphology

family + Boidae

This is a straightforward taxonomic label: 'family' (a scientific grouping) combined with the taxon name 'Boidae' yields the meaning 'the family called Boidae, containing boas and related constrictors.' The construction is purely compositional and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Family Boidae comes from the word boa, the big, squeezing snake, plus the ending -idae, which marks an animal 'family'. So family Boidae means the group of non-venomous snakes that kill prey by squeezing.