family Hystricidae
Definition
Noun: - A taxonomic family of rodents: Hystricidae is the biological family comprising the Old World porcupines. These are large, terrestrial rodents characterized by their sharp, defensive quills or spines.
Usage
- Used in scientific, zoological, and academic contexts to classify a specific group of porcupines distinct from those found in the Americas (New World porcupines).
- The term is typically used with a singular verb when referring to the family as a single taxonomic unit.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- In formal taxonomic writing, the family name is often italicized: .
- It can be used in a more general sense to refer to the collective attributes of these animals:
Variants and Related Words
- Hystricidae: The same term, often used without "family" in scientific literature.
- Hystricid (noun or adjective): A member of the family Hystricidae; relating to this family.
- The hystricid's quills are formidable weapons.
- Old World porcupine: The common name for any member of the family Hystricidae.
Synonyms
- Old World porcupines (common name)
- Hystricids (scientific shorthand)
Different Meanings
This term has a single, specific meaning in biological taxonomy. It does not have general English meanings outside this scientific context.
Related Phrases/Idioms
There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs associated with this specific scientific term.
Noun
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Old World porcupines
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