family Gavidae

9.9

A group of water birds like loons that dive to catch fish

noun
/ˈfæmɪli ˈɡævɪdeɪ/

Specialized

: familia Gavidae

Biologists observed that members of the family Gavidae are expert divers and fishers.

Examples

Loons, classified under the family Gavidae, breed in North America and northern Eurasia.
The family Gavidae is best known for the haunting calls of its members across northern lakes.
The family Gavidae includes various species of loons.
Did you know that the family Gavidae is known for its diving skills?
Biologists observed that members of the family Gavidae are expert divers and fishers.
Loons, classified under the family Gavidae, breed in North America and northern Eurasia.
The family Gavidae is best known for the haunting calls of its members across northern lakes.

Synonyms

Gavidae

vsfamily Gavidae

Specialized

9.9

A group of water birds that dive well and live in northern lakes

focuses on streamlined bodies and exceptional diving ability

Surface Forms

family Gavidae singular

families Gavidae plural

Morphology

family + Gavidae

This is a straightforward taxonomic noun phrase: combining the noun 'family' (a scientific grouping) with the taxon name 'Gavidae' yields the family of loons. The meaning is directly compositional and follows standard naming patterns in biology (cross-linguistically common), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would be able to infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Family Gavidae may come from the old Latin word Gavia, a name once used for sea birds. Imagine a bird called Gavia diving after fish, and that image explains why the name now groups the diving birds we call 'loons' or 'divers'.