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Glite Dictionary
genus Diomedea

genus Diomedea

9.9
A group of very large seabirds like the wandering albatross
  • noun
  • /ˈdʌɪəˌmiːdiə/
  • Specialized
: género Diomedea
  • The genus Diomedea includes some of the world’s largest flying birds, such as the wandering albatross.

Examples

  • Researchers studied breeding habits unique to the genus Diomedea in the Southern Ocean.

  • Many species in the genus Diomedea are known for their impressive wingspans.

  • Most species within the genus Diomedea are characterized by long wingspans and excellent gliding ability.

  • The genus Diomedea includes some of the largest flying birds.

  • Many species in the genus Diomedea are known for their impressive wingspans, which can reach over three meters.

  • The genus Diomedea includes some of the world’s largest flying birds, like the wandering albatross, which can travel thousands of miles in search of food.

  • Researchers studied breeding habits unique to the genus Diomedea, particularly in their nesting colonies on remote islands.

Surface Forms

genus Diomedea singular
genera Diomedea plural

Morphology

genus + Diomedea

The meaning is directly compositional: 'genus' indicates a taxonomic group and 'Diomedea' is a genus name, so a learner who knows 'genus' and recognizes 'Diomedea' as a name can infer it refers to the taxonomic group called Diomedea (the albatross genus). Taxonomic naming conventions are cross-linguistically regular, making this phrase predictable rather than idiomatic.

Etymology

Genus Diomedea may come from the Greek hero Diomedes, because sailors once told a story of large sea birds called 'birds of Diomedes'. Scientists later used that name for these big, long-winged birds, so today genus Diomedea refers to the group of 'great albatrosses'.