Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Equus hemionus

Equus hemionus

9.9
A wild animal like a horse from Asia that runs fast and far
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Equus hemionus
  • The Equus hemionus once roamed widely across the Asian steppes but is now restricted to a few regions.

Examples

  • Unlike domesticated donkeys, Equus hemionus is known for its elusive nature and swift running abilities.

  • The Equus hemionus roams the steppes of Central Asia.

  • Researchers are studying the habitat preferences of Equus hemionus to aid in conservation efforts.

  • Did you know that the Equus hemionus can run at high speeds?

  • Researchers are studying the habitat preferences of Equus hemionus to aid in conservation efforts.

  • The Equus hemionus once roamed widely across the Asian steppes but is now restricted to a few regions.

  • Unlike domesticated donkeys, Equus hemionus is known for its elusive nature and swift running abilities.

Synonyms

onager
vsEquus hemionus
  • Specialized
9.9

A wild Asian donkey that runs fast and has strong legs

is the formal Latin scientific name for the same species

Surface Forms

Equus hemionus singular
Equus hemionuses plural

Morphology

Equus + hemionus

This is a Latin binomial: knowing 'Equus' signals it is a species in the horse/ass family, so a learner can infer it refers to an equid. However, 'hemionus' is not a recognizable English morpheme for a B1 learner (dictionary shows no entry), so the specific sense 'Asiatic wild ass' is not derivable from the constituents without specialist/Latin knowledge.

Etymology

The name Equus hemionus comes from old scientific words. Equus means 'horse' and hemionus may come from Greek for 'half-donkey', because the animal looks like a mix of a horse and a donkey. That's why the name is used for the Asiatic 'wild ass' today.