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Glite Dictionary
genus Caiman

genus Caiman

9.5
A group of reptiles like small alligators found in Central and South America
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs ˈkeɪmən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Caiman
  • The spectacled caiman belongs to the genus Caiman and is widespread throughout its range.

Examples

  • Species in the genus Caiman are commonly found in wetlands of South America.

  • The genus Caiman includes several species of reptiles.

  • Biologists studied the behavior of young reptiles in the genus Caiman.

  • Did you know that the genus Caiman is found in the Amazon?

  • Biologists studied the behavior of young reptiles in the genus Caiman.

  • Species in the genus Caiman are commonly found in wetlands of South America.

  • The spectacled caiman belongs to the genus Caiman and is widespread throughout its range.

Surface Forms

genus Caiman singular
genera Caiman plural

Morphology

genus + caiman

The meaning is directly compositional: 'genus' denotes a biological rank and 'Caiman' names the reptile group, so 'genus Caiman' straightforwardly refers to the taxonomic group of caimans. Though somewhat technical, this noun + name taxonomy pattern is transparent and commonly encoded across languages, so a learner who knows both constituents will understand the phrase.

Etymology

The name genus Caiman comes from two parts: genus, a scientific word for a 'group' of related animals, and Caiman, a word from South American languages for a 'crocodile-like animal'. So genus Caiman simply means the 'group' of caimans.