Ruminant: meaning, definitions and examples

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ruminant

 

[ ˈrumɪnənt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

animal classification

Ruminants are a subset of mammals that are known for their unique digestive system, which allows them to break down fibrous plant material effectively. They possess a specialized stomach with four compartments, including the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. This adaptation enables ruminants to ferment food before digestion, enhancing nutrient absorption. Common examples include cattle, sheep, and deer. As herbivores, ruminants primarily feed on grass and other vegetation.

Synonyms

bovine, herbivore, quadruped

Examples of usage

  • Cattle are the most common ruminant animals raised on farms.
  • The digestive process of a ruminant takes longer due to fermentation.
  • Sheep are classified as ruminants because they have a complex stomach structure.

Translations

Translations of the word "ruminant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ruminante

🇮🇳 रूमान्ट

🇩🇪 Wiederkäuer

🇮🇩 ruminansia

🇺🇦 жуйні

🇵🇱 przeżuwacz

🇯🇵 反芻動物

🇫🇷 ruminant

🇪🇸 rumiante

🇹🇷 geviş getiren

🇰🇷 반추동물

🇸🇦 حيوانات مجترة

🇨🇿 přežvýkavec

🇸🇰 prežúvavec

🇨🇳 反刍动物

🇸🇮 prežvekovalec

🇮🇸 rjúpa

🇰🇿 жұмыртқа

🇬🇪 სათესლე

🇦🇿 ruminant

🇲🇽 rumiante

Word origin

The term 'ruminant' derives from the Latin word 'ruminare', which means 'to chew over or to reflect'. This reflects the animal's behavior of regurgitating food as part of the digestive process, allowing them to chewed it multiple times. Ruminants are believed to have evolved during the late Cretaceous period, around 80 million years ago, and they have since adapted to a variety of habitats. The ability to digest cellulose through fermentation is a significant evolutionary advancement. Ruminants play a crucial role in agriculture and ecosystems, providing food sources for humans and other animals, and contributing to nutrient cycling within their environments.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,134, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.