Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Equus caballus

Equus caballus

6.6
A large animal with hooves kept by people for riding or work
  • noun
  • /ˈɛkwəs kəˈbæləs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Equus caballus
  • The scientific name for the horse is Equus caballus.

Examples

  • Veterinarians study the anatomy of Equus caballus to better care for horses.

  • The Equus caballus is found in a variety of breeds across the world.

  • A museum exhibit displayed the evolution of Equus caballus from ancient ancestors.

  • Did you know that Equus caballus is a member of the family Equidae?

  • The Equus caballus has been an essential companion to humans for thousands of years.

  • In many cultures, the Equus caballus is revered for its strength and beauty.

  • Farmers rely on Equus caballus for transportation and agricultural work.

Synonyms

horse
vsEquus caballus
∞ 1.0

A large four-legged animal kept by people for riding, work, or racing

is the formal scientific name used by biologists for that domesticated species

Surface Forms

Equus caballus singular
Equus caballi plural

Morphology

Equus + caballus

This is a Latin scientific binomial: 'Equus' signals a genus (an animal) so learners can infer it names an animal, but the specific epithet 'caballus' is not transparently English and is specialized/taxonomic. A B1 learner who knows basic English words would not reliably derive the precise meaning 'domestic horse' without knowledge of Latin or biological naming conventions, so the expression provides only partial cues.

Etymology

The scientific name Equus caballus comes from old Latin words for 'horse': Equus was the ancient Latin word for a horse and caballus came to mean a working or pack horse. So the name simply means the domestic 'horse' we keep and ride today.