Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Rangifer caribou

Rangifer caribou

9.6
A large deer like a reindeer found in the evergreen forests of southern Canada
  • noun
  • /ˈræŋɪfər ˈkɛrɪbu/
  • Specialized
translation icon : caribú de los bosques
  • The Rangifer caribou is well adapted to the coniferous forests of southern Canada.

Examples

  • The Rangifer caribou is known for its impressive antlers.

  • Many Rangifer caribou migrate to find food.

  • Conservation efforts are underway to protect the dwindling numbers of Rangifer caribou in the wild.

  • Researchers are monitoring the migration patterns of the Rangifer caribou to better understand their habitat needs.

  • Conservation efforts are underway to protect the dwindling numbers of Rangifer caribou in the wild.

  • Researchers are monitoring the migration patterns of the Rangifer caribou to better understand their habitat needs.

  • The Rangifer caribou is well adapted to the coniferous forests of southern Canada.

Synonyms

woodland caribou
vsRangifer caribou
  • Specialized
7.4

A large wild deer with antlers that lives in pine forests in parts of Canada

is the same animal sometimes classified within the broader species grouping

Surface Forms

Rangifer caribou singular
Rangifer caribous plural

Morphology

Rangifer + caribou

The phrase is a straightforward taxonomic combination: 'Rangifer' names a genus of deer and 'caribou' names the species, so together they denote a particular type of caribou. This compositional, scientific-name pattern is predictable and cross-linguistically familiar, so a B1 learner who knows both constituent meanings can infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Rangifer caribou mixes a Latin scientific name with a local animal name: Rangifer links it to reindeer, and one popular story says caribou comes from a Native word meaning 'to scrape' because the animals scrape snow to find food. So the name helps you remember it is a reindeer-like animal that lives in forests and scrapes snow to feed.