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nonarboreal

nonarboreal

9.1
Living on the ground instead of in trees
  • adjective
  • /ˌnɒnˈɑːrbəˌriːəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : no arbóreo
  • Unlike its arboreal relatives, the nonarboreal species prefers open grasslands.

Examples

  • The nonarboreal mammals are more likely to be found foraging on the forest floor.

  • The nonarboreal species of frogs prefer to live in wetlands.

  • Researchers observed that the nonarboreal birds built their nests on rocky ledges.

  • Many nonarboreal mammals thrive in grasslands.

  • The nonarboreal mammals are more likely to be found foraging on the forest floor.

  • Researchers observed that the nonarboreal birds built their nests on rocky ledges.

  • Unlike its arboreal relatives, the nonarboreal species prefers open grasslands.

Antonyms

arboreal
  • Specialized
2 7.7

Living in trees, like many monkeys and birds

How Arboreal

arboreal
  • Specialized
2 7.7
nonarboreal
  • Specialized
9.1

Surface Forms

nonarboreal positive

Morphology

nonarboreal = arboreal (transparent) = non + arboreal

The productive negative prefix 'non-' attaches directly to the adjective 'arboreal', yielding the straightforward meaning 'not arboreal'.

Etymology

Nonarboreal is made of non- meaning 'not' and arboreal from an old word for 'tree', so it literally means 'not in trees'. That's why a nonarboreal animal lives on the ground or on rocks rather than in trees.