family Aepyornidae

9.9

A group of very large extinct flightless birds from Madagascar called elephant birds

noun
/ˈfɛmɪli ˌiːpiˈɔrnɪˌdeɪ/

Specialized

: familia Aepyornidae

The family Aepyornidae included some of the largest birds that ever lived on Earth.

Examples

Scientists believe that members of the family Aepyornidae became extinct around 1,000 years ago.
Fossils from the family Aepyornidae have provided valuable insights into Madagascar's prehistoric ecosystem.
The family Aepyornidae included some of the largest birds ever to exist.
Did the family Aepyornidae live in Madagascar?
Fossils from the family Aepyornidae have provided valuable insights into Madagascar's prehistoric ecosystem.
Scientists believe that members of the family Aepyornidae became extinct around 1,000 years ago.
The family Aepyornidae included some of the largest birds that ever lived on Earth.

Synonyms

Aepyornidae

vsfamily Aepyornidae

Specialized

9.9

Large extinct flightless birds from Madagascar called elephant birds

is the same taxonomic group but noted as coextensive with the order

Aepyorniformes

vsfamily Aepyornidae

Specialized

9.9

Huge birds from Madagascar called elephant birds that could not fly and are now extinct

is the same birds but expressed at the family rank rather than order

Surface Forms

family Aepyornidae singular

families Aepyornidae plural

Morphology

family + Aepyornidae

This is a straightforward taxonomic composition: 'family' (a scientific grouping) combined with the taxon name 'Aepyornidae' yields 'the family of Aepyornidae' (i.e., that group of extinct flightless birds). Taxonomic noun phrases follow regular, cross-linguistic patterns so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Family Aepyornidae comes from the old name Aepyornis, a Greek word meaning 'tall' or 'lofty' bird. These were very large, flightless animals called 'elephant birds' from Madagascar, so the family name refers to those giant extinct birds.