lemur

[ lee-mer ]

noun

1. any of various small, arboreal, chiefly nocturnal mammals of the superfamily Lemuroidea, inhabiting Madagascar and the Comoro Islands, inclusive of nearly 100 species, most of which have large eyes, a foxlike face, and woolly fur: lemurs, which vary significantly in size, include the world’s smallest primates.

lemur

/ ˈliːmə /

noun

1. any Madagascan prosimian primate of the family Lemuridae, such as Lemur catta (the ring-tailed lemur ). They are typically arboreal, having foxy faces and long tails
2. any similar or closely related animal, such as a loris or indris

Derived Forms

• ˈlemur-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• lemur·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lemur¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from New Latin Lemur, the species name, special use of Latin lemurēs (plural) “ghosts, specters, shades of the dead,” from its nocturnal habits

Word History and Origins

Origin of lemur¹

C18: New Latin, adapted from Latin lemurēs ghosts; so named by Linnaeus for its ghost-like face and nocturnal habits

Example Sentences

One of the world's rarest types of lemur has been successfully bred in Oxfordshire.

From BBC

Births of the greater bamboo lemur in captivity are extremely rare, and the park is the only zoological collection in the UK - and one of two worldwide - to have bred the species this year.

From BBC

The fosa is categorized as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, and is at risk of extinction, as are almost all of its lemur prey.

From Science Daily

The impact of predation -- combined with low reproductive rates and potentially high inbreeding of the lemur population of Betampona -- could affect the survival of this species at this site, researchers said.

From Science Daily

"Although Betampona is one of the best protected reserves in Madagascar, its isolation from other viable forests with lemur populations has created a predicament in which the critically endangered lemurs cannot engage in typical dispersal patterns, leading to genetic and demographic isolation," said Lisa Kelley, executive director of the Saint Louis Zoo Wildcare Institute.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• ape
• baboon
• chimpanzee
• gorilla
• orangutan