lemur

[ lee-mer ]
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noun
  1. 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.

Origin of lemur

1
First recorded in 1790–1800; from New Latin Lemur, the species name, special use of Latin lemurēs (plural) “ghosts, specters, shades of the dead,” from its nocturnal habits

Other words from lemur

  • le·mur·like, adjective

Words Nearby lemur

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How to use lemur in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lemur

lemur

/ (ˈliːmə) /


noun
  1. 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

  2. any similar or closely related animal, such as a loris or indris

Origin of lemur

1
C18: New Latin, adapted from Latin lemurēs ghosts; so named by Linnaeus for its ghost-like face and nocturnal habits

Derived forms of lemur

  • lemur-like, adjective

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