flying fox

noun

1. any large fruit bat of the genus Pteropus, of Old World tropical regions, having a foxlike head.
2. Australian. an aerial conveyor belt or suspended carrier operating on cables, often used to convey ore, dirt, or the like, over rivers and gorges in mining or construction operations.

flying fox

noun

1. any large fruit bat, esp any of the genus Pteropus of tropical Africa and Asia: family Pteropodidae
2. a cable mechanism used for transportation across a river, gorge, etc
3. a cable mechanism ridden for fun at an adventure playground, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of flying fox¹

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

Tim also documented the many animals that disperse figs, including hornbills, gibbons, orangutans, and flying foxes.

From Nautilus

Bats are mostly insectivorous; a few are fruit-eaters, such as our common flying-fox.

From Project Gutenberg

Overhead a huge flying fox, with outspread “batty wings” sailed majestically.

From Project Gutenberg

The flying-fox visited the blossoms of the tea-tree at night, and made an incessant screeching noise.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the Cheiroptera sixteen species have been identified; amongst them is the rousette or flying fox (Pteropus Edwardsii).

From Project Gutenberg

Was worshipped in Savaii as a war god, and incarnate in the large bat, or flying-fox.

From Project Gutenberg