lemur
Lemur (noun) means a tree-dwelling primate native to Madagascar, known for large eyes and, in some species, a long ringed tail. Example: “The ring-tailed lemur is one of the most recognizable primates in the world.”
How to use lemur
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA type of primate found only in Madagascar, distinct from monkeys and apes.
Word forms
lemurs plural
Fill the gap
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The ring-tailed _____ is one of the most recognizable primates in the world.
Etymology
From Latin lemures, "spirits of the dead" — the naturalist Carl Linnaeus chose the name in 1754 because of the animals' ghostly nocturnal habits and slow, silent movements.
Rhymes for lemur
See all rhymes for lemur →Frequently asked questions
What does “lemur” mean?
The word “lemur” means a tree-dwelling primate native to Madagascar, known for large eyes and, in some species, a long ringed tail. In plain terms, a type of primate found only in Madagascar, distinct from monkeys and apes.
How do you pronounce “lemur”?
“Lemur” is pronounced LEE-muh (/ˈliːmə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “lemur” in a sentence?
Here is “lemur” used in a sentence: “The ring-tailed lemur is one of the most recognizable primates in the world.”
What part of speech is “lemur”?
“Lemur” is a noun.
Where does the word “lemur” come from?
The word “lemur” dates back to around 1754 and comes from Latin. From Latin lemures, "spirits of the dead" — the naturalist Carl Linnaeus chose the name in 1754 because of the animals' ghostly nocturnal habits and slow, silent movements.