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Glite Dictionary
genus Oryctolagus

genus Oryctolagus

9.9
A group of rabbits from Europe and nearby areas, including the European rabbit
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs ɔrɪkˈtɒlɪɡəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Oryctolagus
  • The genus Oryctolagus includes the widely known European rabbit.

Examples

  • Domesticated rabbits are descended from species in the genus Oryctolagus.

  • Did you know that the genus Oryctolagus is found in many parts of Europe?

  • Biologists have studied members of the genus Oryctolagus to understand rabbit behavior.

  • The genus Oryctolagus includes the well-known European rabbit.

  • Biologists have studied members of the genus Oryctolagus to understand rabbit behavior.

  • Domesticated rabbits are descended from species in the genus Oryctolagus.

  • The genus Oryctolagus includes the widely known European rabbit.

Synonyms

Oryctolagus
vsgenus Oryctolagus
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of rabbits from Europe and nearby regions, including the European rabbit

is the same meaning but framed as a descriptive phrase rather than the name

Surface Forms

genus Oryctolagus singular
genera Oryctolagus plural

Morphology

genus + Oryctolagus

This is a direct compositional label: 'genus' (a biological rank) combined with the taxonomic name 'Oryctolagus' yields the meaning 'the genus called Oryctolagus (containing the European rabbit)'. Taxonomic naming is a regular, cross-linguistic convention, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

Genus Oryctolagus comes from old Greek words: orycto meaning 'to dig' and lagus meaning 'rabbit'. The literal image of a 'digging rabbit' fits because these rabbits live in burrows, so the name refers to the group of rabbits like the European rabbit.