Zoological Vocabulary

noun the uppermost layer of branches in a forest or on a tree

• The dense canopy of trees in the rainforest provides shelter for a variety of wildlife.
• Let's set up our hammocks under the canopy for some shade.
• I love chilling under the canopy with a good book.
• The canopy of stars above us seemed to stretch on forever, a blanket of light in the night sky.

noun a male turkey

• The gobbler is a common term used to refer to the male turkey.
• I saw a gobbler strutting around the farm yesterday.
• Watch out for that gobbler, he's been causing trouble in the neighborhood.
• The politician was known as a real gobbler, always taking credit for other people's work.

noun the gripping parts of a wrench or vise that close on the object

• The dentist examined the patient's jaws for any signs of TMJ disorder.
• I heard that movie has a famous scene with a shark's jaws popping out of the water.
• That roller coaster ride was so intense, it felt like it was going to rip my jaws off!
• The jaws of defeat were looming over the team as they entered the final minutes of the game.

adjective relating to or characterized by plundering or preying on others

• The predacious behavior of the company led to multiple lawsuits.
• I heard that guy is pretty predacious when it comes to business deals.
• Watch out for that predacious dude, he's always looking to scam someone.
• Her eyes had a predacious glint as she spotted the last piece of cake.

noun a group of pigs

verb to confine in or as if in a sty

• The stylist recommended a new hair sty for the upcoming event.
• I'm thinking of getting a new hair sty, what do you think?
• I love your new hair sty, it looks so cool!
• Her unique sense of style is like a signature that sets her apart from the rest.

adjective having a thin or delicate skin

• The professor is known for being thin-skinned and easily offended by criticism.
• My brother is so thin-skinned, he gets upset over the smallest things.
• Don't be so thin-skinned, you need to toughen up and not take everything personally.
• His thin-skinned attitude towards feedback hinders his growth and development.

noun a person who is regarded as being deliberately ignorant or old-fashioned

• The troglodyte was discovered living in a cave deep in the mountains.
• I heard that troglodyte guy never leaves his house.
• Don't be such a troglodyte, get with the times!
• His outdated views make him seem like a troglodyte in modern society.

noun The back limb of a four-legged animal, such as a hind leg of a dog or a cat.

• The hindlimb of the frog is used for jumping and swimming.
• The back leg of the frog helps it hop around.
• The frog's booty is powered by its hindlimbs.
• Just like a hindlimb propels a frog forward, determination propels us towards our goals.

noun a thin membrane or partition, especially in the body

adjective relating to the velum or soft palate

• The velum is a thin membrane that separates the nasal and oral cavities.
• I can feel something tickling my velum when I eat spicy food.
• I hate it when my velum gets itchy after eating too much junk food.
• The velum of the sky was painted with hues of pink and orange as the sun set.

noun a point located at the junction of the upper lip and the nose

adjective relating to the acanthion, which is the tip of the anterior nasal spine

• The acanthial structure of the plant's leaves is a distinguishing feature.
• I love how the acanthial leaves of this plant look so unique!
• Check out the cool acanthial leaves on this plant!
• Her thoughts were like acanthial branches, branching out in all directions.

noun a combining form meaning “spine,” “thorn,” “spiny,” used in the formation of compound words: acanthocephalan.

• The acantho- prefix is commonly used in scientific terminology to refer to spines or spiny structures.
• I learned about the acantho- prefix in my biology class last week.
• Hey, did you know that acantho- is like the fancy word for spiky stuff?
• The acantho- symbolizes protection and defense in many ancient cultures.

noun a skin disease caused by infestation with mites

• Acariosis is a skin condition caused by mites infesting the skin.
• My dog was diagnosed with acariosis, but the vet said it's treatable.
• I heard acariosis is going around the neighborhood, so make sure to keep your pets clean.
• The acariosis of corruption had spread through the government, infecting every level of authority.

adjective having a sharp point or stinger

• The aculeate structure of the plant's leaves serves as a defense mechanism against herbivores.
• Watch out for that aculeate plant, its thorns are sharp!
• I accidentally brushed against an aculeate bush and got pricked.
• Her words were like aculeate thorns, piercing through his heart.

noun a person, place, thing, or idea, in this case, 'adanal' is a noun

adjective describing word that modifies a noun or pronoun, in this case, 'adanal' is describing a noun

• The adanal gland is an important part of the digestive system in some animals.
• I heard that adanal glands are responsible for producing a certain type of scent in animals.
• My dog's adanal area was bothering him so we had to take him to the vet.
• The adanal region of the city was known for its vibrant nightlife and bustling activity.

adjective characterized by having an irregular or indefinite shape or form

• The scientist used adelomorphous classification to categorize the new species of insects.
• I have no idea what adelomorphous means, do you?
• That new car design is adelomorphous, dude!
• Her thoughts were adelomorphous, constantly changing and evolving.

verb Adnate can also be used as a verb to describe the act of joining or fusing organs or parts together.

adjective Adnate is an adjective that describes organs or parts that are joined or fused together.

• The stamens are adnate to the petals in this particular species of flower.
• The leaves of this plant seem to be adnate to the stem, they're practically glued on!
• Dude, those two things are adnate like peanut butter and jelly.
• Her commitment to the project was adnate to her passion for the cause.

verb to spend the summer in a dormant state, as some animals do in hot, dry climates

• During the dry season, some animals choose to spend their time aestivating to conserve energy.
• I heard that turtles are aestivating in their shells until it gets cooler outside.
• Let's just aestivate in front of the TV all day and binge-watch our favorite shows.
• Sometimes I feel like aestivating from social media to take a break from all the noise.