flying lemur
- noun
- /ˈflaɪɪŋ ˈliːmər/
- Philippine
:
lémur volador
- Malay civets, clouded leopards, slow lorises, and the unique flying lemur may be seen in the beam of a spotlight at night.
Examples
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While hiking in the rainforest, we caught a glimpse of a flying lemur gliding gracefully between the trees.
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Observing a flying lemur gliding from one branch to another is a fascinating experience for wildlife enthusiasts.
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The zoo has a special exhibit showcasing the flying lemur, known for its ability to soar through the night sky.
Synonyms
A night animal that lives in trees in Southeast Asia and glides using wide skin flaps
A night animal that lives in trees in Southeast Asia and glides using a skin fold from neck to tail
A small mammal from Southeast Asia that glides between trees using skin flaps
How Far
- Philippine
- Indian
- Indian
1
7.4
1
3.8
- Philippine
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally transparent: 'flying' modifies 'lemur', so a learner who knows both words will infer 'a lemur that flies or glides' (i.e., a tree-dwelling primate capable of aerial movement). The technical nuance that it is actually a glider and not a true lemur is unlikely to prevent a B1 learner from deriving the overall meaning from the constituents.
Etymology
The name flying lemur comes from how it looks and moves: the animal has a lemur-like face and wide skin flaps that let it glide between trees, so people called it a flying lemur as if it could 'fly'. That's why the name refers to a tree mammal that 'glides' rather than truly 'flies'.