Cervicaprine

/sɛrˈvɪkæpraɪn/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or characteristic of the cervicapra (blackbuck antelope) or the subfamily Cervicaprinae.

Etymology

From cervicapra plus -ine, a Latin suffix meaning 'of or pertaining to'; used in scientific taxonomy to classify animals related to or similar to the blackbuck.

Kelly Says

Scientists use 'cervicaprine' to group animals with the blackbuck, but it's also a great example of how English scientific terms can get tongue-twisting when they stack Latin roots together.

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