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platyrrhine

platyrrhine

9.9
A monkey from Central and South America with a broad, flat nose and a tail that can hold things
  • noun
  • /ˈplætɪˌraɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : mono platirrino
  • Unlike catarrhines, platyrrhines have prehensile tails and broad, flat noses.

Examples

  • The spider monkey is a well-known platyrrhine found in South American rainforests.

  • Did you know that platyrrhines are found only in the Americas?

  • Researchers observed the social behaviors of several platyrrhine species in their natural habitat.

  • The platyrrhine monkeys are fascinating creatures.

  • The spider monkey is a well-known platyrrhine found in South American rainforests.

  • Researchers observed the social behaviors of several platyrrhine species in their natural habitat.

  • Did you know that platyrrhines are found only in the Americas?

Synonyms

New World monkey
vsplatyrrhine
  • US
1 5.9

A monkey from Central and South America with a flat nose and often a tail that can hold things

is the scientific descriptor that stresses broad flat nose and nostril spacing
platyrrhinian
vsplatyrrhine
  • Specialized
9.9

A monkey from Central or South America with wide nostrils and a tail that can hold things

is an alternative form used for the same monkey term

Surface Forms

platyrrhine singular
platyrrhines plural

Morphology

platyrrhine = platy + rrhine (opaque) = platy + rrhine

The noun name is constructed from the same Greek combining forms and is a technical taxonomic term; the components are not transparent to typical learners.

Etymology

Platyrrhine comes from Greek parts platy- 'broad' or 'flat' and rhin- 'nose', just like the rhin- in rhinoceros. So a platyrrhine as a noun is a New World monkey with a wide, flat nose and often a tail that can hold things.