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Glite Dictionary
Mephitis mephitis

Mephitis mephitis

8.6
A common North American skunk with black and white fur
  • noun
  • /mɛˈfɪtɪs mɛˈfɪtɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Mephitis mephitis
  • The distinctive black-and-white fur of Mephitis mephitis serves as a warning to potential predators.

Examples

  • Did you know that the Mephitis mephitis can spray a foul-smelling liquid?

  • Roadkill surveys often report Mephitis mephitis as the most frequently encountered skunk.

  • Researchers observed the behavior of Mephitis mephitis in its natural habitat in the Midwest.

  • The Mephitis mephitis is known for its distinctive black and white stripes.

  • Researchers observed the behavior of Mephitis mephitis, the common striped skunk, in its natural habitat in the Midwest.

  • Roadkill surveys often report Mephitis mephitis as the most frequently encountered skunk species in North America.

  • The distinctive black-and-white fur of Mephitis mephitis helps it to warn potential predators of its presence.

Synonyms

striped skunk
vsMephitis mephitis
  • US
5.1

A small black animal with white stripes that sprays a strong bad smell when scared

is the formal Latin name used by scientists for the species

Surface Forms

Mephitis mephitis singular
Mephitis mephitis plural

Morphology

Mephitis + Mephitis

This is a Latin binomial (scientific name); knowing the constituent 'Mephitis' as a genus of skunks lets a learner infer that the phrase refers to a skunk species (so some meaning is recoverable). However, the specific sense 'striped skunk' and the taxonomic function of repeating the name are not derivable from ordinary English composition rules without knowledge of scientific naming, so full transparency is lacking.

Etymology

Mephitis mephitis comes from the Latin word mephitis, which meant a 'bad smell' or 'foul air'. People named the animal this because the striped 'skunk' protects itself by spraying a very strong smell, so the name points to the skunk's famous scent.