tarsier: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Specialized Vocabulary)Formal/Biological/Technical
Quick answer
What does “tarsier” mean?
A small, nocturnal, insectivorous primate with large eyes, found in Southeast Asia, known for its extremely long tarsus bones in its feet.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, nocturnal, insectivorous primate with large eyes, found in Southeast Asia, known for its extremely long tarsus bones in its feet.
Often used to represent exotic, specialized wildlife; metaphorically can refer to someone or something with strikingly large, observant eyes or a nocturnal nature.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The referent is identical. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Evokes similar imagery of exotic, fragile rainforest fauna. In British English, might be slightly more associated with colonial-era natural history.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, confined to zoology, documentaries, and nature writing.
Grammar
How to Use “tarsier” in a Sentence
The [adjective] tarsier [verb] in the [noun].[Location] is home to the [species name] tarsier.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tarsier” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Bornean tarsier is a fascinating subject for ecological study.
- We were lucky to observe a tarsier during our night walk in the rainforest.
American English
- The tarsier's enormous eyes help it hunt insects at night.
- Conservation efforts for the Philippine tarsier have increased in recent years.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biological, zoological, and environmental science papers.
Everyday
Rare, except when discussing exotic wildlife or watching nature documentaries.
Technical
Standard term in primatology and taxonomy.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tarsier”
- Misspelling as 'tarsior' or 'tarser'.
- Mispronouncing the 'si' as /ʃ/ (like 'sh').
- Confusing with similar-looking small primates like lorises or bushbabies.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, tarsiers are not monkeys. They are prosimian primates, an older group that also includes lemurs and lorises. They split from the monkey/ape lineage much earlier in evolutionary history.
No, tarsiers make terrible pets. They are wild, nocturnal, insectivorous animals with highly specialized needs. They are often stressed by captivity, and it is illegal to own them in most countries. They are also endangered.
Their enormous eyes are an adaptation for nocturnal hunting. Each eye is approximately as large as its brain. This allows them to capture maximum light in dark forest conditions to spot moving insects.
In British English: /ˈtɑː.si.eɪ/ (TAR-see-ay). In American English: /ˈtɑːr.si.ɚ/ (TAR-see-er). The stress is always on the first syllable.
A small, nocturnal, insectivorous primate with large eyes, found in Southeast Asia, known for its extremely long tarsus bones in its feet.
Tarsier is usually formal/biological/technical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TARsus' (ankle bone) + 'ier' = the primate with the long ankle.
Conceptual Metaphor
LARGE EYES ARE CAMERAS/RADAR DISHES ("The tarsier's eyes scanned the dark forest like twin surveillance cameras.")
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary diet of a tarsier?