rhinoceros
UK[raɪˈnɒsərəs]US[raɪˈnɑːsərəs]
n
a large, thick-skinned animal of africa and asia with one or two horns on its nose
Morpheme Breakdown
rhino
ceros
rhino
nose
ceros
horn
Etymology
the word rhinoceros is a direct borrowing from latin, which itself was taken from the ancient greek 'rhinokerōs'. this greek term is a compound of 'rhīn-' (nose) and 'keras' (horn), literally translating to "nose-horn". the name is a perfectly descriptive anatomical label, focusing on the animal's most distinctive feature. this logical, literal construction was adopted into latin and subsequently into english, where it has remained unchanged in its core meaning for centuries.
Analysis
Structure: rhino (nose) + ceros (horn)
rhino: from greek 'rhīn-', meaning 'nose'. ceros: from greek 'keras', meaning 'horn'.
Examples
we saw a massive rhinoceros wallowing in the mud at the wildlife reserve.
the black rhinoceros is critically endangered due to poaching for its horn.
the documentary highlighted the surprising speed a charging rhinoceros can achieve.