woolly mammoth

Thân thiện

A woolly mammoth walks across a snowy tundra.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • An extinct species of mammoth: The woolly mammoth was a large, elephant-like mammal that lived during the Ice Age.
   • Characterized by long, dense hair: It is specifically known for its thick, shaggy coat of hair, which was an adaptation to cold environments.
   • Geographical and historical context: It was widespread across the colder regions of the northern hemisphere, such as Siberia, Alaska, and northern Europe.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Scientists extracted DNA from the frozen remains of a woolly mammoth.
  • Cave paintings often depict the woolly mammoth alongside early humans.
  • The woolly mammoth is one of the most well-known prehistoric creatures.

Advanced Usage

• In scientific discourse: The term is used in paleontology, genetics, and climate science discussions about extinction and de-extinction projects.
  • The debate on reviving the woolly mammoth through genetic engineering is ongoing.
• In cultural context: It appears in literature and media as a symbol of the Ice Age or prehistoric life.
  • The museum's exhibit on the Ice Age features a life-sized model of a woolly mammoth.

Variants and Related Words

• Mammuthus primigenius (n): The scientific (Latin) name for the woolly mammoth.
• Mammoth (n): The broader genus, which includes other extinct species like the Columbian mammoth.
• Woolly rhinoceros (n): Another extinct, hairy megafauna from the same epoch.

Synonyms

• Ice Age mammoth: Emphasizes the historical period.
• Hairy mammoth: A descriptive synonym highlighting its key physical trait.

Related Phrases

• (To be) a woolly mammoth: Used figuratively to describe something very old, outdated, or from a distant past.
  • That computer is a woolly mammoth; it can't even run basic software anymore.

Học thuật

Noun

1. very hairy mammoth common in colder portions of the northern hemisphere

Từ đồng nghĩa

• northern mammoth
• Mammuthus primigenius