Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large, shaggy bear (Melursus ursinus) native to the Indian subcontinent: The "sloth-bear" is a species of bear known for its long, dark fur, distinctive pale snout, and a primarily insectivorous diet, especially feeding on termites and ants. It is named for its slow, deliberate movements and its habit of climbing trees, which resemble those of a sloth.

Usage Examples

• (A specific bear species in South Asia.)
• (Describes its physical adaptation for feeding.)
• (Its primary food sources.)

Advanced Usage

• "Sloth-bear" as a compound term: The name "sloth-bear" reflects early naturalists' observations of its behavior, which they mistakenly associated with true sloths.
  • The sloth-bear was originally classified as a type of sloth due to its slow climbing habits. (Historical taxonomic error corrected later.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sloth-bear (n): the standard spelling; also written as "sloth bear" (without hyphen).
  • The sloth bear is a protected species in some regions. (Alternate spelling.)
• Sloth-like (adj): resembling the behavior or appearance of a sloth.
  • The sloth-bear's sloth-like movements help it conserve energy. (Describes its characteristic motion.)

Synonyms

• Melursus ursinus: the scientific name for the sloth-bear.
  • Melursus ursinus is the only species in its genus. (Taxonomic designation.)
• Honey bear: a colloquial name for the sloth-bear, due to its fondness for honey.
  • Locals sometimes call the sloth-bear a honey bear. (Informal synonym.)

Related Idioms

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically involving "sloth-bear" as it is a specific animal name. However, the word "sloth" in general may appear in idioms like "slothful" (lazy), but this is not directly related to the bear species.