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Glite Dictionary
family Caviidae

family Caviidae

8.3
A group of small animals like guinea pigs that live in South America
  • noun
  • /ˈfæmɪli ˈkævɪˌeɪd/
  • Specialized
: familia Caviidae
  • Guinea pigs belong to the family Caviidae.

Examples

  • The family Caviidae comprises various species, including the domesticated guinea pig.

  • The family Caviidae includes many species of rodents.

  • Members of the family Caviidae are native to South America.

  • Researchers are studying the evolutionary history of the family Caviidae.

  • The family Caviidae includes popular pets like guinea pigs and various wild cavies.

  • Researchers have classified the family Caviidae as part of the Hystricomorpha order of rodents.

  • Animals of the family Caviidae are primarily found in the grasslands of South America.

Synonyms

Caviidae
vsfamily Caviidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of rodents like guinea pigs from South America

focuses on its classification within the Hystricomorpha order rather than origin

Surface Forms

family Caviidae singular
families Caviidae plural

Morphology

family + Caviidae

The meaning is compositionally transparent: 'family' as a taxonomic grouping combined with the taxon name 'Caviidae' directly yields 'a family of rodents.' This follows a standard scientific noun-phrase pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand the MWE.

Etymology

Family Caviidae may come from the old name Cavia, a word people used in South America for the 'guinea pig'. So the name points to a group of related rodents, which is why it means a family of animals that includes guinea pigs.