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Rhinoceros - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

rhinoceros

/raɪˈnɑːsərəs/ /raɪˈnɒsərəs/

Definition:

A large, thick-skinned mammal with one or two horns on its snout, native to Africa and Asia.

Synonyms:

rhino, pachyderm, megafauna

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

mouse, insect

Common Collocations:

rhinoceros horn, rhinoceros beetle, rhinoceros calf

Derivatives:

rhinocerotic, rhinocerical

Usage Tips:

Use "rhinoceros" when referring to the animal; "rhino" is its common short form in informal contexts.

Common Phrases:

thick as a rhinoceros hide, charge like a rhinoceros

Etymology:

From Greek "rhino-" (nose) + "keras" (horn), meaning "nose-horned."

Examples:

  • 1. The rhinoceros grazed peacefully in the savanna.
  • 2. We saw a massive rhinoceros at the zoo yesterday.
  • 3. The rhinoceros charged when it felt threatened.
  • 4. Poachers hunt rhinoceroses for their valuable horns.

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