chacma: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Zoological
Quick answer
What does “chacma” mean?
A large, greyish-brown baboon native to southern Africa, scientifically known as Papio ursinus.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, greyish-brown baboon native to southern Africa, scientifically known as Papio ursinus.
The term refers specifically to this species of baboon, known for its dog-like face, social troop structure, and adaptability to various habitats from mountains to coastal regions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral, scientific. No regional connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse in both regions. Slightly more likely to appear in British media/documentaries due to historical colonial links to southern Africa.
Grammar
How to Use “chacma” in a Sentence
The chacma (verb)...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chacma” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The chacma population in the reserve is stable.
American English
- Researchers studied chacma behavior for a decade.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in zoology, primatology, ecology, and conservation biology papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be heard in nature documentaries or by wildlife enthusiasts.
Technical
The primary context. Used in species identification, field guides, and scientific research.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chacma”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chacma”
- Using 'chacma' as a plural (it is singular; plural is 'chacmas').
- Pronouncing it with a /ʃ/ sound (like 'shack') instead of /tʃ/ (like 'ch').
- Using it as a general term for any baboon.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It refers specifically to the Cape baboon (Papio ursinus), one of several baboon species.
It is borrowed from Khoikhoi (a language of southern Africa), though the exact original form is uncertain.
In British English, it's /ˈtʃakmə/ (CHACK-muh). In American English, it's /ˈtʃækmə/ (CHACK-muh with a shorter 'a').
Almost exclusively in very specific contexts like wildlife documentaries, zoology, or travel writing about southern African fauna.
A large, greyish-brown baboon native to southern Africa, scientifically known as Papio ursinus.
Chacma is usually technical/zoological in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHAC' (like 'chack' sound) + 'MA' (mother). Imagine a mother baboon making a 'chack' sound to her young.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'chacma'?