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Glite Dictionary
Indian rhinoceros

Indian rhinoceros

5.2
A large wild animal with one horn and thick folded skin that lives in India and Nepal
  • noun
  • /ˈɪndiən raɪˈnɒsərəs/
  • Indian
translation icon : rinoceronte indio
  • We spotted an Indian rhinoceros grazing by the river during our safari tour.

Examples

  • The Indian rhinoceros is an endangered species.

  • Wildlife reserves in Nepal protect the endangered Indian rhinoceros from poachers.

  • The Indian rhinoceros is known for its distinctive single horn and armor-like skin folds.

  • Have you ever seen an Indian rhinoceros in the wild?

  • The Indian rhinoceros is known for its distinctive single horn and thick, folded skin.

  • Conservation efforts are crucial to protect the Indian rhinoceros from poaching.

  • Visitors at the national park were excited to see an Indian rhinoceros grazing in the grass.

Synonyms

Rhinoceros unicornis
vsIndian rhinoceros
  • Specialized
7.7

A large heavy animal with one horn that lives in India and Nepal

is the common name used for that same single-horned animal

Surface Forms

Indian rhinoceros singular
Indian rhinoceroses plural

Morphology

Indian + Rhinoceros

The meaning — a rhinoceros associated with India (the species found in northern India and Nepal) — is directly and compositionally derived from 'Indian' (pertaining to India) + 'rhinoceros' (the animal). This kind of geographic modifier + noun compound is a straightforward, cross-linguistically common naming pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand the MWE.

Etymology

Indian rhinoceros combines Indian (where the animal lives) and rhinoceros (a big, horned animal). Picture a heavy beast with one horn and thick, folded skin, and you see why it means 'a large, one-horned rhino from India'.