As toddlers, we learn the names of animals we see at the zoo or the park, such as lions, zebras, dogs, cats, and birds. Later, we learn the adjectives that describe these animals. Most have roots in Greek or Latin, such as “canine” and “feline,” but more recognizable descriptors (bearish, hawklike) also come from animal inspiration. Here are ten adjectives to help you understand and describe the animals around you.
Accipitrine
In Latin, the word accipiter translates to “hawk.” When it comes to scientific classifications, the order Accipitriformes includes all kinds of birds of prey. Further down the taxonomic structure, the family Accipitridae and genus Accipiter are devoted explicitly to hawks. People can also be described as “hawkish” if they’re advocating for aggressive or militant policies.
Anguine
This animal adjective, describing serpents that slither across the ground, comes from the Latin word anguis, meaning “snake.” Snakes often call to mind devious behavior or curving paths which is why people or routes are sometimes called “serpentine” or “snake-like.”
Bovine
Where’s the beef? This word is derived from the Latin word bovīnus, which means “relating to cattle,” and bōs, which translates to “ox.” “Beef” comes from the French boef, but that also traces back to the same Latin root.
Equine
Yet another Latin word — this time equīnus is all about horses, but the genus Equus includes lots of four-legged mammals including horses, donkeys, and zebras. While “equine” is an upscale term for anything horse-related, the word “horsey” is also a great low-key substitute. Think, “After riding, his clothes had a horsey odor.”
Lupine
This term is borrowed from the Latin words lupīnus and lupus, which translate to “wolf.” The autoimmune disorder known as lupus got its name because a 13th-century doctor thought his patient’s facial lesions looked like a wolf’s bite. People can also be called “wolfish” if they’re ferocious or insatiable.
Murine
This term comes from the Latin stem mur, which derives from the word mus, meaning “mouse.” As a more recognizable mouse-like adjective, “mousy” can be applied to anyone quiet, timid, and just a little reserved.
Piscine
This adjective may look familiar from astrology. The Latin word piscis means “fish,” and is also the root for the Greco-Roman constellation Pisces. For those who don’t want to dabble in fancy Latin terms, anything with a sea-like taste or odor can be described as “fishy.”
Sciurine
This word has roots in the Latin sciūrus and ancient Greek skíouros, which both mean “squirrel.” The Greek term literally translates to “shadow tail,” which is something fun to think about the next time you see a bushy tail scamper by. Looking at the way squirrels dash around, the adjective “squirrely,” meaning acting odd or eccentric, starts to make a lot of sense.
Ursine
This beary nice adjective is derived from the Latin word ursus, meaning “bear.” The Latin term is also the root word for the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, which take the shape of two bears in the night sky. Though a bearish person is gruff and grumpy, a bearish investor in the stock market is usually afraid of falling prices.
Vulpine
Foxes as well as cunning people are often described with this term. It comes from the Latin word vulpīnus, which means “foxy or fox-like.” Someone who’s foxy can be either very crafty or very attractive.
Featured image credit: lncreativemedia/ iStock