Glis glis
- noun
- Specialized
- The Glis glis is known for its long hibernation periods.
Examples
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Researchers have tracked the hibernation cycles of Glis glis to better understand its survival adaptations.
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The Glis glis is native to forests throughout much of Europe.
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In some regions, the Glis glis is considered a pest because it invades homes and attics.
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Did you know that the Glis glis can sleep for months?
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The Glis glis is native to forests throughout much of Europe, where it can often be found nesting in trees.
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Researchers have tracked the hibernation cycles of Glis glis to better understand its survival adaptations during winter.
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In some regions, the Glis glis is considered a pest because it invades homes and attics seeking warmth.
Synonyms
3
6.9
A small furry animal like a mouse with a bushy tail that sleeps through winter
A large mouse-like animal with a bushy tail that sleeps through winter in tree holes
Surface Forms
Morphology
Knowing 'Glis' as a genus of small rodents lets a learner infer that 'Glis glis' refers to a rodent species, so there is a clear link to the constituents. However, the binomial repetition is a specialist taxonomic convention and does not transparently yield the specific sense 'edible dormouse' to an average B1 learner without knowledge of scientific naming, so the meaning is only partially predictable.
Etymology
Glis glis comes from an old Latin word glis meaning 'dormouse', and the same word was used twice to form its scientific name. That's a helpful image because this animal is famous for long winter sleep, so the name reminds us it is a very sleepy dormouse.