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Glite Dictionary
true marmoset

true marmoset

9.8
A small South American monkey with soft fur that often has twins and is not a tamarin
  • noun
  • /truː ˈmɑːrməˌzɛt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : marmoset verdadero
  • The true marmoset is native to the forests of Brazil.

Examples

  • Unlike tamarins, the true marmoset typically gives birth to twins.

  • I saw a true marmoset at the zoo yesterday.

  • Researchers observed a group of true marmosets foraging for insects in the trees.

  • The true marmoset is native to Brazil.

  • Researchers observed a group of true marmosets foraging for insects in the trees.

  • The true marmoset is native to the forests of Brazil.

  • Unlike tamarins, the true marmoset typically gives birth to twins.

Synonyms

Callithrix
vstrue marmoset
  • Specialized
9.9

A small South American monkey with claw-like nails and quick movements

refers to a single species within that genus rather than the whole group

Surface Forms

true marmoset singular
true marmosets plural

Morphology

true + marmoset

The phrase combines the adjective 'true' (genuine, real) with the noun 'marmoset' (a small monkey), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a genuine/real type of marmoset. While the precise taxonomic distinction is specialized, the basic meaning 'a (real) species of marmoset' is transparently derivable from the constituents and common cross-linguistically.

Etymology

True marmoset uses true to mean the 'real' or typical group of marmoset monkeys. People long ago used 'marmoset' for small South American monkeys, so calling one a true marmoset is like pointing to the 'real' marmoset species, and that is why the name now means this specific small monkey.