crab-eating macaque
- noun
- Philippine
:
macaco cangrejero
- The crab-eating macaque is often found near rivers and mangrove forests.
Examples
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Researchers observed a troop of crab-eating macaques using rocks to open shellfish.
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In some regions, the crab-eating macaque is considered both a sacred animal and a crop pest.
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Look at that crab-eating macaque climbing the tree!
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The crab-eating macaque is often found near coastal areas.
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Researchers observed a troop of crab-eating macaques using rocks to open shellfish.
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The crab-eating macaque is often found near rivers and mangrove forests.
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In some regions, the crab-eating macaque is considered both a sacred animal and a crop pest.
Synonyms
A long-tailed monkey that lives in Southeast Asia and often eats crabs
Surface Forms
Morphology
crab-eating + macaque
The noun is fully compositional: 'crab-eating' means 'eating crabs' and 'macaque' denotes a monkey, so the phrase denotes a monkey that eats crabs. This participial compound follows a regular English modifier+noun pattern common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Crab-eating macaque: The name crab-eating macaque comes from the animal's life near rivers and mangrove forests — macaque is a 'monkey' and crab-eating shows it often 'eats crabs' and shellfish, sometimes using rocks to open shells. So the name simply describes what the animal does and helps you remember it.
