Definition

Noun: 1. A blood-feeding bat: A small bat, native to tropical regions of the Americas, that feeds on the blood of other animals, primarily mammals and birds. It belongs to the family Desmodontidae. 2. A specific animal type: Refers to any of the three species (common vampire bat, hairy-legged vampire bat, white-winged vampire bat) characterized by sharp incisors for making small cuts and anticoagulant saliva to lap up blood.

Examples

• The vampire bat is often misunderstood and feared due to its unique diet.
• Scientists study the anticoagulant in vampire bat saliva for potential medical applications.
• Unlike most bats, the vampire bat can walk and run on the ground.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative use: The term can be used metaphorically to describe a person who preys on or drains the resources of others.
  • He was a financial vampire bat, sucking the life out of the company with his bad deals.

Variants and Related Words

• Desmodontidae (n): The scientific family name for vampire bats.
• Hematophagy (n): The practice of feeding on blood, which is the dietary practice of the vampire bat.

Synonyms

• Blood-feeding bat
• Hematophagous bat

Related Phrases

• Vampire bat colony: A group of vampire bats living together.
  • The researchers located a large vampire bat colony in the abandoned mine.

Noun

1. any of various tropical American bats of the family Desmodontidae that bite mammals and birds to feed on their blood