An excerpt from the zoological text The Hunter’s Encyclopedia of Animals (First Edition).
Etymology
The etymologies are meant to be approximate translations or interpretations of the various taxa names. This list is meant to be used in conjunction with the taxonomy page and species index. [Last updated 21st March 2019.]
A
Abinferno L. ab, from, + īnfernō, hell. Translation: "[one descended] from hell."
Aculupa L. acula, needle, + lupa, she-wolf. Translation: "needle-wolf."
Acuspina L. acula, needle, + spīna , backbone. Translation: "needled backbone." Literally translates as "spine-spine."
Advena L. advena, alien.
Anemopoda Gr. ἄνεμος (ánemos), wind, + πούς (poús, -poda), foot. Translation: "wind foot."
Aponarthraceum Gr. απών (apón), absent, + ἄρθρον (árthron), joint, + L. - āceum, resembling or having the form of. Translation: "having the form of a missing joint."
Apophis Gr. Ἄποφις (ápophis, from Eg. ˤ3pp (apep)), ship. The etymology may be derived from a portmanteau of Eg. apep + Gr. óphis.
Arcacollum L. arcus, arc, + collum, neck. Translation: "arc neck."
Armutonitridae L. armātūra, armament, + tonitrus, thunder, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "thunder armor."
Arpazonyx Gr. Αρπάζω (arpázo), seize, + ὄνυξ (ónux, -onyx), claw. Translation: “seizing claw.”
Asperacutidae L. asper, rough, + cutis, skin, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "rough skin."
Aspiceros Gr. ἀσπίς (aspís), shield, + κέράs (keras), horn. Translation: "shield-horn."
Aulocephalos Gr. αὐλός (aulós), pipe or flute, + κεφαλή (kephalē), head. Translation: "flute head."
Avecoronidae L. avē, hail, + corōna, crown, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "hail the crown."
B
Barbavetidae L. barba, beard, + vetus, old, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "old beard."
Biosanapnoi carpitor Gr. βίος (bíos, bio-), life, + αναπνοή (anapnoí), breath; L. carpitor, harvester. Translation: "life-breathing [gardener]."
C
Caelincola L. caelum, sky, + incola, -incola, dweller. Translation: "sky-dweller" or "[one that lives] in heaven."
Calcatrix L. calcātrīx, treader or trampler.
Callodigitidae L. callōsus, calloused, + digitus, finger, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "calloused finger."
Calvaria L. calvāria, skull.
Capillatura L. capillātūra, false hair or wig.
Centrinis Gr. κεντρίνης (kentrínēs), spiny shark.
Cetiformes L. cētus, any large sea animal (shark, whale, serpent), + fōrmis (from fōrma, shape), having the form of. Translation: "having the form of a large sea serpent."
Cetuserpens L. cētus, any large sea animal (shark, whale, serpent), + serpēns, snake. Translation: "sea serpent-snake."
Chalbysaurus Gr. χάλυβας (chályvas), steel, + σαῦρος (saûros, -saurus), lizard. Translation: "steel lizard."
Ciccum Gr. κικκος (kikkos), a trifle or something worthless.
Clipeurostrum L. clipeus, shield or sun disc, + rōstrum, beak. Translation: "shield beak."
Collaripluma L. collāris, collared, + plūma, feather. Translation: "collared feather."
Coriumasca L. corium, leather, + masca, mask. Translation: "leather mask."
D
Decorala L. decōra, beautiful, + āla, wing. Translation: "beautiful wing."
Discuvultus L. discus, disc, + vultus, face. Translation: "disc face."
Dromos Gr. δρόμος (drómos), racecourse.
E
Electodon Gr. ἤλεκτρον (ḗlektron), amber, + ὀδών (odṓn, -don), tooth. Translation: "amber tooth."
Euoviraptor Gr. εὖ (eû, eu-), true, + L. ovum, ovi-, egg, + raptor, thief. Translation: “true egg thief.”
F
Felifacies L. fēlēs, cat, + faciēs, countenance. Translation: "cat-faced."
Fengaronympha macroura Gr. Φεγγάρι (fengári), moon, + νύμφη (númphē), nymph; μακρός (makrós), long, + οὐρά (ourá), tail. Translation: “long-tailed moon nymph.”
Fengzheng lung; F. gaoyadian Ch. 风筝 (fēng zhēng), kite; 龙 (lóng), dragon; 高壓電 (gāoyādiàn), static. Translation: "dragon-kite"; "static-kite."
Ferridae L. ferrum, iron, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix..
Flagrulinguidae L. flāgrum, whip, + lingua, tongue, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "whip tongue."
Flovorator altilis L. flōs, flower, + vorator, eater; altilis, fattened. Translation: "fat flower-eater."
Fragoreptilia L. fragor, a crash or a shattering, + -reptilia, from reptilis, creeping. Translation: "shatter-reptile."
G
Gastrosclodia longauriata L. gaster, belly, + Fr. luge, from L. sclodia, sled; longa, long, + auris, ear, + -ātus, adjective suffix equivalent to E. -ed. Translation: "long-eared sled-stomach."
Gymnopteranoidea Gr. γυμνός (gumnós), naked, + πτερόν (pterón, -ptera), wing, + -oidea, a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "naked wing."
H
Harpaga L. harpagō, harpoon or grappling hook.
Haustranguis L. haustrum, bucket, + anguis, dragon. Translation: "bucket dragon."
Heliosaurus Gr. ἥλιος (hḗlios, helio-), sun, + σαῦρος (saûros, -saurus), lizard. Translation: "sun lizard."
Hoplycan Gr. ὅπλον (hóplon), armor, + λύκος (lykos), wolf. Translation: "armor-wolf."
I
Icensidae L. īcēns, stinging, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix.
Iskiuba G. ήσκιος (ískios), shadow, + L. iuba, mane. Named for the Lord of the Mearas.
J
No content available.
K
Kangmi E. yeti (from Tib. གཡའ་དྲེད (g.ya' dred), rock bear, or metoh-kangmi, man-bear snowman.
L
Lapicrusta L. lapis, stone, + crusta, shell. Translation: "stone shell."
Lapideagnatha L. lapidea, stony, + Gr. γνάθος (gnáthos), jaw. Translation: "stony jaw."
Lofiocyon Gr. λοφίο (lofío), crest or plume, + κῠ́ων (kúōn), dog. Translation: "plume-dog."
Lunaflora vulpina L. lūna, moon, + flōs, flor-, flower; vulpīna, fox-like. Translation: "fox-faced moon-flower."
M
Macropaleosoma Gr. μακρός (makrós, macro-), large, + παλαιός (palaiós, paleo-), ancient, + σῶμα (sôma), body. Translation: "ancient large body."
Magnaraptor L. magna, great, + raptor, thief. Translation: "great thief."
Malleucaput L. malleus, hammer, + caput, head. Translation: "hammer head."
Malleucaudidae L. malleus, hammer, + cauda, tail, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "hammer tail."
Mandibulaformia L. mandibula, jaw, + fōrmis (from fōrma, shape), having the form of. Translation: "having the form of jaws."
Mandyasoma Gr. μανδύας (mandýas), cloak, + σῶμα (sôma), body. Translation: "[cloaked] body."
Manicutalidae L. manicula, manacle, + tālus, talon, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "manacle talon."
Manupennidae L. manus, hand, + penna, wing, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "hand-wing."
Marincolidae L. mare, sea, + incola, -incola, dweller, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "sea-dweller" or "[one that lives] in the sea."
Membranala L. membrāna, skin, + āla, wing. Translation: "[skinned] wing."
Mercuridae L. mercuria, mercury or luck, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix.
Metacarpium absconditum L. metacarpium (from Gr. μετακάρπιον (metakárpion)), hand; absconditum, hidden. Translation: "hidden metacarpals."
Molafumans favilla; M. f. irisoma L. mola, millstone, + fūmāns, smoking; favilla, cinders; Gr. ἶρις (îris), rainbow, + σῶμα (sôma), body. Translation: "smoking millstone ash"; "rainbow smoking millstone ash."
Monceratops petroides Gr. μόνος (mónos), single, + κέράs (keras), horn, + οψις (ops), face; πέτρα (pétra), stone, + εἶδος (eîdos, -oides), likeness. Translation: "a single-horned face [that looks like] stone."
Monsanguis custos L. mōns, mountain, + sanguis, blood; custōs, guard. Translation: "mountain-blooded sentinel."
N
Nuntius galeatus L. nūntius, messenger; galea, helmet, + -ātus, adjective suffix equivalent to E. -ed. Translation: "helmeted messenger."
O
Ollamaliztlidae Nah. ōllamaliztli, a Mesoamerican ballgame, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix.
Ossisericidae L. ossum, bone, + sēricum, silk, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "bone-silk" or "bone-ribbon."
Ossispina L. ossum, bone, + spīna, spine. Translation: "bone-spine."
Osteovelum Gr. ὀστέον (osteon, osteo-), bone, + L. vēlum, ship sail. Translation: "bone sail."
P
Pachycephalochoiros phytosumbios Gr. παχύς (pakhús, pachy-), thick, + κεφαλή (kephalē), head, + χοίρος (choíros), pig; φυτόν (phutón), plant, + συμβίωσις (sumbíōsis), companion. Translation: "thick-headed pig [that is a companion to] plants."
Pachylithoderma Gr. παχύς (pakhús, pachy-), thick, + λίθος (líthos, litho-), stone, + δέρμα (derma), skin. Translation: "thick stone skin."
Palustincola L. palūs, swamp, + incola, -incola, dweller. Translation: "swamp-dweller" or "[one that lives] in swamps."
Petracephaloidea Gr. πέτρα (pétra), stone, + κεφαλή (kephalē), head, + -oidea, a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "stone head."
Phallucephala L. phallus, penis, + Gr. κεφαλή (kephalē), head. Translation: "penis-head."
Plesichthys Gr. πλησίος (plēsio, plesio-), near, + ἰχθύς (ikhthýs), fish. Translation: "near-fish."
Polypterygia Gr. πολύς (polús, poly-), many, + πτερύγια (pterýgia), fins. Translation: "many fins."
Praesagidae L. praesāgium, premonition, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix.
Praesidiosauria L. praesidium, fortress, + Gr. σαῦρος (saûros, -saurus), lizard. Translation: "fortress lizard."
Pristocephale glaciesecans Gr. πρίστης (prístēs), saw, + κεφαλή (kephalē), head; L. glaciēs, ice, + secāns, cutting. Translation: "ice-cutting saw-head."
Pseudanthornis Gr. ψευδής (pseudḗs, pseudo-), false, + ἄνθος (ánthos), flower, + ὄρνῑς (órnīs), bird. Translation: "false flower-bird."
Pseudophis Gr. ψευδής (pseudḗs, pseudo-), false, + ὄφις (óphis), serpent or dragon. Translation: "false dragon."
Pseudopinna unguiculata Gr. ψευδής (pseudḗs, pseudo-), false, + L. penna, fin; unguiculāta, clawed . Translation: "clawed false fin."
Psevdaisthisi chaetes; P. katabasis Gr. ψευδαίσθηση (psevdaísthisi), illusion; χαίτη (khaítē), flowing mane; κατάβᾰσις (katabasis), katabatic wind. Translation: "flowing mane illusion"; "katabatic flowing mane."
Pyrothalassion basileus Gr. πῦρ θαλάσσιον (pŷr thalássion), sea fire, one of the many names for Greek fire, a naval incendiary weapon; βασιλεύς (basileús), king. Translation: "Greek fire king."
Q
No content available.
R
Redimiculum echinatum L. redimīculum, necklace; echinātum, prickly. Translation: "prickly necklace."
Rhinamblys Gr. ῥινός (gen. rhinós), nose, + ἀμβλύς (amblús), blunt. Translation: "blunt nose."
Rufacutis L. rūfa, red, + cutis, skin. Translation: "red skin."
S
Saltarello It. saltarello, a lively medieval Italian dance with a leaping step.
Scalpelifer L. scalepellum, scalpel, + -ifer, bearing. Translation: "scalpel-bearing."
Sclerophis Gr. σκληρός (sklērós), hard, + ὄφις (óphis), serpent or dragon. Translation: "hard dragon."
Selacharena L. selachē, shark, + harēna, sand. Translation: "sand shark."
Skapani Gr. σκαπάνη (skapáni), pickaxe.
Spathoura Gr. σπαθί (spathí), sword, + ουρά (ourá), tail. Translation: "sword-tail."
Squamasanguinans L. squāma, scale, + sanguināns, bleeding. Translation: "bleeding scale."
Stalagmitensis L. stalagmites, from Gr. στάλαγμα (stálagma), drop, + L. ēnsis, sword. Translation: "stalagmite-sword."
Stercusanctum currite L. stercus, dung, + sānctum, sacred; curr-ite (run-IMP.2PL), run. Translation: "holy shit, run."
Strixops L. strix, owl, from Gr. στρίγξ (strínx), + οψις (ops), face. Translation: "owl face."
T
Terraemotus desertus; T. sporaspina L. tarraemotus, earthquake; dēsertus, abandoned; spora, spore, + spina, backbone. Translation: "spore-backed earthquake"; "desert earthquake."
Terrincolidae L. terra, ground, + incola, -incola, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "ground-dweller" or "[one that lives] in the ground."
Therianopla Gr. θηρίον (thēríon), wild beast, + πανοπλία (panoplía), armor. Translation: "beast armor."
Toxon furcatum Gr. τόξον (tóxon), longbow; L. furcatum, forked. Translation: "forked longbow."
Truarmatura L. trua, scoop or ladle, + armātūra, armament. Translation: "scooped weapon."
U
Undarena L. unda, wave, + harēna, sand. Translation: "sand wave."
V
Venatavus L. vēnātor, hunter, + avus, ancestor. Translation: "hunter ancestor."
Vernusecula L. vernus, spring, + secula, sickle. Translation: "spring sickle."
Vesica aerostatum L. vēsīca, bladder; aerostatum, airship. Translation: "bladder airship."
Vipracanidae L. vīpera, snake, + canis, dog, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix. Translation: "dog wyvern."
Viverna It. viverna, wyvern, from L. vīpera, snake.
Volutansidae L. volūtāns, rolling, + -idae (from Gr. εἶδος (eîdos)), a taxonomic suffix.
W
No content available.
X
Xenostoma Gr. ξένος (xénos, xen-), alien, + στόμα (stóma), mouth. Translation: "alien maw."
Xyrafiptera cervarius Gr. ξυράφι (xyráfi), razor, + πτερόν (pterón, -ptera), winged; L. cervus, deer, + -ārius, a grammatical agent-forming prefix. Translation: "razor-winged deer-hunter."
Y
No content available.
Z
Zontanopteryx metaxydendra Gr. ζωντανός (zontanós), alive or living, + πτέρῠξ (ptérux, -opteryx), wing; μεταξύ (metaxý), amongst, + δένδρα (déndra), trees. Translation: "living wing amongst the trees."
Abbreviations
A.N. – Anglo-Norman
Ch. – Chinese
E. – English
Fr. – French
G. – German
Gr. – Greek
It. – Italian
J. – Japanese
L. – Latin
M.E. – Middle English
Nah. – Nahuatl
Tib. – Tibetan
Etymologies sourced from various websites, books, and online databases, including Wiktionary. Binomen and other taxonomic group names follow Latin and Greek declension (agreement of case, gender, and plurality) to the best of the author’s abilities, and are in accordance with The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.
The author is currently trying to find experts on Latin and Greek to consult on the grammar — specifically, for connecting vowels, roots, and rules on forming compound nouns. If anyone reading this has any experience in either language, or with taxonomic nomenclature, feedback would be helpful.
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