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Glite Dictionary
Castor fiber

Castor fiber

9.0
A large beaver that lives in and near rivers in Europe and northern Asia
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Castor fiber
  • The Eurasian beaver, also referred to as Castor fiber, plays a crucial role in its ecosystem.

Examples

  • Unlike Castor fiber, the North American beaver has a broader tail and darker fur.

  • The Eurasian beaver, or Castor fiber, was once widespread across Europe.

  • Conservationists have reintroduced Castor fiber into several rivers in the United Kingdom.

  • The Castor fiber is known for its ability to build dams.

  • Did you see the Castor fibre exhibit at the wildlife park?

  • Conservationists have reintroduced Castor fiber into several rivers in the United Kingdom.

  • Unlike some rodents, Castor fiber can be found in both freshwater and brackish water habitats.

Synonyms

beaver
vsCastor fiber
26 1.0

A large water rodent with webbed back feet and a wide, flat tail that builds dams

refers specifically to the Eurasian species rather than the general rodent group
Old World beaver
vsCastor fiber
  • UK
8.4

A large water rodent from Europe and western Asia different from the North American beaver

is the scientific name for that Eurasian species used in formal contexts

Surface Forms

Castor fiber singular

Morphology

Castor + fiber

This is a Linnaean binomial: the first element 'Castor' identifies the genus (beavers), so a learner who recognises that will infer the phrase refers to a species of beaver. However, the second element 'fiber' is a Latin species epithet that does not carry its ordinary English sense ('threadlike cell'), so the overall meaning is not fully transparently compositional from the English meanings of both constituents.

Etymology

Castor fiber comes from old words: Castor and fiber were old names for a 'beaver'. So the name basically says 'beaver' twice and points to the animal we now call the 'Eurasian beaver'.