primates

/prai'meiti:z/

Thân thiện

Definition

1. Noun (plural):
   • An order of mammals: "Primates" is the scientific name for the biological order that includes lemurs, tarsiers, monkeys, apes, and human beings. Members of this order are characterized by large brains, forward-facing eyes for depth perception, and flexible hands and feet.

Usage

• The word "primates" is used as a plural noun to refer to the entire taxonomic group. It is commonly used in scientific, zoological, and anthropological contexts.
• Example:
• Example:

Advanced Usage

• "The primate order": A formal term for the biological classification.
  • Humans belong to the primate order.
• "Primate research/cognition": Used in academic fields to specify studies focused on this group.
  • Her work in primate cognition is groundbreaking.

Variants and Related Words

• Primate (singular noun):
  • Refers to a single member of the order Primates.
  • Example: The gorilla is an intelligent primate.
• Primatology (noun): The branch of zoology that deals with primates.
  • She is pursuing a degree in primatology.
• Primatologist (noun): A scientist who studies primates.
  • The primatologist observed the chimpanzees for months.

Synonyms

• Anthropoids: Often used to refer to the subgroup of primates including monkeys, apes, and humans (but not prosimians like lemurs).
• Simians: A traditional, less scientific term for monkeys and apes.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "primates" is strictly biological. In a different context, the singular "primate" can also refer to a high-ranking bishop in some Christian churches, but this is a completely separate meaning (a homograph). The animal order is always referred to in the plural form "primates" or with the singular "primate" in a zoological sense.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an animal order including lemurs and tarsiers and monkeys and apes and human beings

Từ đồng nghĩa

• Primates
• order Primates