LEMUR Definition & Meaning

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lemur

[ lee-mer ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of various small, arboreal, chiefly nocturnal mammals of the superfamily Lemuroidea, inhabiting Madagascar and the Comoro Islands, inclusive of nearly 100 species, most of which have large eyes, a foxlike face, and woolly fur: lemurs, which vary significantly in size, include the world’s smallest primates.

lemur

/ ˈ��ː��ə /

noun

any Madagascan prosimian primate of the family Lemuridae, such as Lemur catta (the ring-tailed lemur ). They are typically arboreal, having foxy faces and long tails
any similar or closely related animal, such as a loris or indris

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Derived Forms

ˈ��𳾳ܰ�-ˌ��, adjective

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Other �y��vlog Forms

��m�ܰ�·�� adjective

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of lemur¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from New Latin Lemur, the species name, special use of Latin ��𳾳ܰ�ŧ�� (plural) “ghosts, specters, shades of the dead,” from its nocturnal habits

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of lemur¹

C18: New Latin, adapted from Latin ��𳾳ܰ�ŧ�� ghosts; so named by Linnaeus for its ghost-like face and nocturnal habits

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Two golden lion tamarin twins and a critically endangered gentle lemur are among the latest newborns at the central London attraction.

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Much as it’s easy to retreat in despair, the lemurs, the giraffes, the sharks and wombats, and actual bats, need our help.

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Only 36 greater bamboo lemurs are in captivity globally and they are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

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Further escapes and disturbing animal fatalities kept the zoo in the news, including the deaths of 30 lemurs in a fire in 2008.

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With speciation, an astonishing divergence of pollination mechanisms evolved, that exploit hawkmoths, bats and lemurs for a simple nectar reward.

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