Ursus horribilis
- noun
- /ˈɜr.səs hɔˈrɪb.ɪ.lɪs/
- Specialized
:
Ursus horribilis
- Scientists tracked the movements of Ursus horribilis through Yellowstone National Park.
Examples
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Encounters with Ursus horribilis are rare but can be dangerous if the bear feels threatened.
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The Ursus horribilis is known for its impressive strength and size.
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The Ursus horribilis is known for its impressive size.
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Have you ever seen an Ursus horribilis in the wild?
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The Ursus horribilis is known for its strength and formidable presence in the wild.
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Hikers in Western North America should be cautious of encountering an Ursus horribilis in its natural habitat.
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The Ursus horribilis is often seen roaming the mountains and forests of North America.
Synonyms
57
3.9
A large brownish-gray bear in western North America with a hump on its shoulder
22
3.1
A large, powerful brown bear that lives in mountains and forests in western North America
A large brown bear with light fur on its head in the mountains of western North America
A large brown bear called the grizzly that lives in western North America
A large brown bear with silver-tipped fur found in western North America
Surface Forms
Morphology
Ursus + horribilis
This is a Latin binomial: 'Ursus' clearly denotes a bear and 'horribilis' is transparently cognate with English 'horrible', so a learner who knows both constituents can infer a literal meaning like 'horrible bear' or that it names a kind of bear. However, the precise identification as the grizzly (Ursus arctos horribilis or related taxonomic usage) requires specialized zoological knowledge, so the meaning is only partly predictable from the parts.
Etymology
Ursus horribilis comes from Latin: Ursus means 'bear' and horribilis means 'terrible' or 'dreadful'. Early explorers used that scary name because the animal looked large and fierce, so the Latin name stuck and now refers to the powerful 'grizzly bear'.