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genus Delphinus

genus Delphinus

7.7
A group of dolphins that includes the common dolphin
  • noun
  • /ˈdʌlfɪnəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Delphinus
  • The genus Delphinus includes several species of dolphins.

Examples

  • The genus Delphinus includes the well-known common dolphin.

  • Taxonomic revisions have altered the classification within the genus Delphinus.

  • Marine biologists have long studied the genus Delphinus to understand dolphin behavior.

  • Did you know that genus Delphinus is part of the family Delphinidae?

  • Marine biologists have long studied the genus Delphinus to understand dolphin behavior.

  • The genus Delphinus includes the well-known common dolphin.

  • Taxonomic revisions have altered the classification within the genus Delphinus.

Synonyms

Delphinus
vsgenus Delphinus
  • Specialized
9.3

A group of small sea animals that swim and breathe air like the common dolphin

is the designated type that defines the whole family

Surface Forms

Morphology

genus + Delphinus

The meaning is directly compositional: 'genus' (a biological rank) combined with the proper name 'Delphinus' denotes the taxonomic genus called Delphinus. This pattern (rank + taxon name) is cross-linguistically regular and therefore a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the phrase.

Etymology

The name genus Delphinus comes from the Latin word Delphinus, which itself comes from Greek for 'dolphin'. Early scientists used Delphinus to name a group, called 'genus', of similar common dolphins, so today genus Delphinus means that group.