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Glite Dictionary
genus Giraffa

genus Giraffa

7.4
A group of giraffes that includes the living giraffe species
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒiːnəs ˈdʒɪrəfə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Giraffa
  • The genus Giraffa includes only the modern giraffe species.

Examples

  • Scientists have debated the classification of subspecies within the genus Giraffa.

  • Fossils attributed to the genus Giraffa have been found across several parts of Africa.

  • The genus Giraffa includes several species of giraffes.

  • Did you know that the genus Giraffa is endemic to Africa?

  • Fossils attributed to the genus Giraffa have been found across several parts of Africa.

  • The genus Giraffa includes only the modern giraffe species.

  • Did you know that the genus Giraffa is endemic to Africa?

Synonyms

Giraffa
vsgenus Giraffa
  • Specialized
9.6

A group of large African animals that includes giraffes and sometimes okapis

is limited to the tall, long-necked members and excludes the short-necked relative

Surface Forms

genus Giraffa singular
genera Giraffa plural

Morphology

genus + Giraffa

The phrase is fully compositional: 'genus' (a biological rank grouping species) combined with the taxon name 'Giraffa' directly denotes the genus that contains giraffes. This taxonomic naming pattern is standard across languages and is immediately predictable for a learner who understands both constituent words.

Etymology

Genus Giraffa is a Latin name made of genus (a Latin word for a 'group' or 'kind') and Giraffa (an old word for the giraffe animal). So it literally means 'the group of giraffes', which is why the name refers to the genus that contains the modern giraffe species.