babirusa
Very LowTechnical, Scientific
Definition
Meaning
A wild pig native to Sulawesi and nearby Indonesian islands, characterized by its long, upward-curving tusks in males.
The term specifically refers to the genus Babyrousa, an animal notable for its unique, hairless body, relatively long legs for a pig, and the male's distinctive canine teeth, which grow through the top of the snout and curve back towards the forehead.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is almost exclusively used in zoological, wildlife, and conservation contexts. It is a hypernym for the species within the Babyrousa genus. It does not have figurative meanings or slang uses.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
The word carries the same neutral, scientific connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both UK and US English, confined to specialized contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The babirusa (verb: is found/lives/feeds) in...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in biology, zoology, and environmental science texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
The primary register; used in wildlife documentaries, scientific papers, and zoological guides.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The babirusa is a strange animal.
- We saw a picture of a babirusa at the zoo.
- The male babirusa's tusks can grow so long they curve back into its skull.
- Conservation efforts for the Sulawesi babirusa are complicated by habitat fragmentation and hunting pressures.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Baby, rusa' – a baby deer? No, but its long legs are a bit deer-like, and 'rusa' means deer in Malay/Indonesian, hinting at its origin and appearance.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable; the term is a concrete, biological referent with no common metaphorical extension.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как "свинья-олень" в научном тексте; следует использовать транслитерацию "бабирусса" или латинское название "Babyrousa".
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'babirussa', 'babirusa' with one 's'.
- Incorrect plural: 'babirusas' is acceptable; 'babirusa' can also be plural.
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining feature of a male babirusa?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are generally shy, forest-dwelling animals and pose little threat to humans unless cornered or threatened.
No, it is a wild, protected species not suited for domestication and is illegal to own without special permits.
It comes from Malay 'babi' (pig) + 'rusa' (deer), literally 'pig-deer', referring to its appearance.
Taxonomy is debated, but currently three to four distinct species within the genus Babyrousa are recognised.