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Glite Dictionary
Campephilus principalis

Campephilus principalis

9.9
A large black and white woodpecker from the southern United States and Cuba thought nearly extinct
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Campephilus principalis
  • The Campephilus principalis is often called the ivory-billed woodpecker.

Examples

  • For decades, the Campephilus principalis was thought to be extinct in North America.

  • Conservationists continue to search for evidence of living Campephilus principalis in remote swampy regions.

  • The Campephilus principalis was once a remarkable sight in southern U.S. forests.

  • Many believe that the Campephilus principalis has gone extinct.

  • Conservationists continue to search for evidence of living Campephilus principalis in remote swampy regions.

  • For decades, the Campephilus principalis was thought to be extinct in North America.

  • The Campephilus principalis was once a remarkable sight in southern U.S. forests.

Synonyms

ivory-billed woodpecker
vsCampephilus principalis
  • US
2 9.9

A large black and white bird with an ivory colored bill that is very rare and may be extinct

frames it as thought to be nearly extinct rather than as an official status
ivorybill
vsCampephilus principalis
  • US
9.9

A large black and white woodpecker with a pale beak now almost extinct

describes it as thought to be nearly extinct rather than as a current fact

Surface Forms

Campephilus principalis singular
Campephilus principales plural

Morphology

Campephilus + principalis

This is a Latin binomial: knowing 'Campephilus' (a genus of large woodpeckers) would allow a learner to infer the phrase refers to a kind of woodpecker, but 'principalis' is not an ordinary English word and does not transparently convey the species-specific identity or attributes (ivory-billed, nearly extinct). Taxonomic names therefore give partial category information but not the full meaning, so the expression is only partially predictable from its parts.

Etymology

Campephilus principalis may come from old Greek and Latin words: Campephilus means 'caterpillar-lover' and principalis means 'chief' or 'main'. So imagine a large, important woodpecker that loves caterpillars, and this picture helps you remember the big black-and-white bird now thought to be nearly extinct.