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Glite Dictionary
Macropus giganteus

Macropus giganteus

9.6
A large grey-brown kangaroo from eastern Australia
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Macropus giganteus
  • The scientific name for the eastern grey kangaroo is Macropus giganteus.

Examples

  • The Macropus giganteus is commonly found in open grasslands.

  • Did you know that the Macropus giganteus can jump over 3 meters high?

  • Researchers studied a group of Macropus giganteus in their natural habitat.

  • Unlike other species, Macropus giganteus thrives in open woodland environments.

  • The scientific name for the eastern grey kangaroo is Macropus giganteus.

  • Researchers studied a group of Macropus giganteus in their natural habitat.

  • Unlike other species, Macropus giganteus thrives in open woodland environments.

Synonyms

giant kangaroo
vsMacropus giganteus
  • Australian
3.4

A very large Australian kangaroo that once lived in open woods

is the formal scientific name used by scientists rather than an everyday name
great grey kangaroo
vsMacropus giganteus
  • Australian
7.8

A very large Australian animal that hops, has grey-brown fur, and is now rare in open woods

is the formal scientific name used by scientists rather than a common label

Surface Forms

Macropus giganteus singular

Morphology

Macropus + giganteus

The binomial is compositional (genus + species epithet) and, if a learner recognises 'Macropus' as a marsupial genus and the Latin root 'gigant-' as meaning 'giant', they can infer this refers to a very large Macropus (a large kangaroo). However, because it is a Latin scientific name and requires taxonomic/Latin-root knowledge that many B1 learners lack, the meaning is only partially recoverable rather than immediately obvious.

Etymology

Macropus giganteus comes from old Greek and Latin words meaning 'big foot', with macro meaning 'big', pus meaning 'foot', and giganteus meaning 'giant'. The name gives a clear picture of a large kangaroo with very big feet that help it hop, so the name fits the animal today.