douroucouli
Extremely lowFormal, Technical/Scientific
Definition
Meaning
A small nocturnal monkey from South America.
Specifically refers to a night monkey of the genus Aotus, characterized by large eyes adapted for nocturnal vision and a grey-brown fur pattern.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A highly specific biological/zoological term. Its use is almost exclusively confined to scientific contexts and is not part of general vocabulary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No meaningful difference in usage; term is identically specialized in both variants.
Connotations
Technical, precise, academic.
Frequency
Virtually never encountered in either British or American English outside of zoology, primatology, or specialized wildlife documentaries.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The douroucouli is native to...A douroucouli, also known as...Researchers observed the douroucouli...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in zoology, biology, and primatology papers.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
The primary context; used in scientific classification and description.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The douroucouli is a monkey that is active at night.
- Unlike many primates, the douroucouli has entirely nocturnal habits.
- The research focused on the unique retinal structure of the douroucouli, which grants it exceptional low-light vision.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DOU'ble 'ROU'nd eyes 'COU'ld see in the dark...LI'ke an owl. Douroucouli = night monkey.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Highly specific concrete noun).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'durik' (дурик - fool).
- The word has no common Russian equivalent; translate as 'ночная обезьяна' or use the Latin 'Aotus'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: douroucoul*i*, douroucoul*y*.
- Mispronunciation: placing stress on the first syllable.
- Using it as a general term for any small monkey.
Practice
Quiz
What is a douroucouli?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and specialized scientific term.
It comes from a Tupi-Guarani language word.
It would be highly unusual and likely confusing; 'night monkey' is the common term.
Some species within the genus Aotus are threatened, but conservation status varies.