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Glite Dictionary
sanguinary ant

sanguinary ant

9.9
An ant that raids other nests to steal young ants and make them work
  • noun
  • /ˈsæŋɡwɪˌnɛri ænt/
translation icon : hormiga sanguinaria
  • The sanguinary ant is notorious for raiding the nests of other species to steal their larvae.

Examples

  • A single sanguinary ant colony may enslave hundreds of workers from neighboring ant species.

  • Researchers studied the social structure of a colony of sanguinary ants in northern Europe.

  • The sanguinary ant is known for its aggressive behavior.

  • Have you seen a sanguinary ant before?

  • A sanguinary ant colony can capture and enslave larvae from rival ant colonies.

  • In a fascinating study, scientists observed the raiding habits of the sanguinary ant in various ecosystems.

  • The sanguinary ant plays a crucial role in its habitat by controlling the populations of other ant species.

Synonyms

Formica sanguinea
vssanguinary ant
  • Specialized
9.9

An ant that invades other nests and forces captured workers to help its colony

has identical meaning but uses a different common name
slave-making ant
vssanguinary ant
  • Specialized
9.9

An ant that attacks other ant nests and takes their young to raise as workers in its own nest

refers to one species specifically rather than the general group
slave-maker
vssanguinary ant
  • Specialized
9.9

An ant that enters other ant nests and takes young ants to raise as workers

refers to one species specifically not the whole category

Surface Forms

sanguinary ant singular
sanguinary ants plural

Morphology

sanguinary + ant

The compound is a straightforward adjective+noun composition: 'sanguinary' (bloodthirsty/desiring bloodshed) plus 'ant' yields an ant characterized by violent or aggressive behavior. This compositional pattern is predictable, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the species' aggressive, raiding nature described in the definition.

Etymology

Sanguinary ant may come from the word sanguinary, which means 'blood' or 'violence', because these ants raid other nests and carry off their young. So the name helps you picture an ant that 'raids' and 'enslaves' workers from other colonies.