Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
genus Erethizon

genus Erethizon

9.9
A group of large rodents that includes the North American porcupine
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs ˌɛrəˈtɪzɒn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Erethizon
  • The genus Erethizon includes the North American porcupine.

Examples

  • The genus Erethizon contains only the North American porcupine as its living species.

  • Unlike other porcupines, members of the genus Erethizon are found in North America.

  • Scientists classified the fossil as belonging to the genus Erethizon based on its skull structure.

  • Did you know that genus Erethizon is known for its quills?

  • Scientists classified the fossil as belonging to the genus Erethizon based on its skull structure.

  • The genus Erethizon contains only the North American porcupine as its living species.

  • Unlike other porcupines, members of the genus Erethizon are found in North America.

Synonyms

Erethizon
vsgenus Erethizon
  • Specialized
9.9

A large porcupine found in North America with sharp quills

is framed by its rodent family membership rather than by regional grouping

Surface Forms

genus Erethizon singular
genera Erethizon plural

Morphology

genus + Erethizon

The phrase combines the biological rank 'genus' with the taxonomic name 'Erethizon', so a learner who knows 'genus' (a group of related species) and the referent of 'Erethizon' can directly infer it denotes the genus containing North American porcupines. This compositional, taxonomic naming pattern is regular and cross-linguistically familiar, so the meaning is immediately derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Genus Erethizon comes from an old Greek word erethizo meaning 'to irritate' or 'to prickle', because porcupine quills prick and irritate. So, genus Erethizon is the scientific name for the group that includes the North American porcupine.