Skip to main content
vespertilionid

vespertilionid

9.9
A bat that eats insects and lives in many parts of the world
  • noun
  • /ˌvɛspərˈtɪliənɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : murciélago vespertiliónido
  • Many vespertilionids play an important role in controlling insect populations.

Examples

  • The caves are home to a rare species of vespertilionid that feeds on moths.

  • Scientists have discovered a new vespertilionid in the Amazon rainforest.

  • The vespertilionid species is known for its echolocation abilities.

  • Many vespertilionids can be found in North America.

  • Many vespertilionids play an important role in controlling insect populations.

  • Scientists have discovered a new vespertilionid in the Amazon rainforest.

  • The caves are home to a rare species of vespertilionid that feeds on moths.

Synonyms

vespertilian bat
vsvespertilionid
  • Specialized
9.9

A bat that eats insects and uses sound to find them at dusk

has identical meaning but stresses global distribution rather than size

Surface Forms

Morphology

vespertilionid = Vespertilionidae (opaque) = vespertilion + id

The root is a specialized combining form from scientific Latin and the suffix '-id' is a zoological marker; an average learner cannot deduce the meaning from common English vocabulary.

Etymology

Vespertilionid comes from the Latin parts vesper 'evening' and vespertilio 'bat', so it originally meant an 'evening bat'. The ending -id shows a family group, like in canid for dogs, so a vespertilionid is a bat that belongs to that bat family.